Local residents on Tuesday staged a rail roko protest for one hour at Bhadrak railway station opposing extension of MEMU train service to Balasore and demanded departure of the train from the station.
As per locals, the MEMU train services began from Bhadrak to Berhampur in 1997. On January 6 this year, the service was extended to Balasore.
“As the track was extended to Balasore, many passengers are facing issues due to unavailability of tickets. The train service is availed by many daily wage labourers and poor due to affordable price” said Naren Pallei, a former MLA.
“Not only this, the extension has hurt the self-esteem of Bhadrak, why a train which was running from 25 years was extended to Balasore”, he added.
The former MLA said that on June 10, they will submit a memorandum to district collector for the establishment of Medical College and University.
“We demand new train or they should attach separate bogies from here for better commuting of travellers”, said a local.
A four-member team will visit Khordha to hold talk with Railway division officials on the issue.
The protestors threaten to continue protest on every 6th day of the coming months if a new train will not start from Bhadrak.