‘Rail Roko’ staged in Odisha by railway siding workers

A significant protest erupted as hundreds of members from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) including railway siding workers orchestrated a demonstration and ‘Rail Roko’ at Bimalagarh Railway Station in Sundargarh district, on Wednesday.

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According to sources, the protest, highlighted by loud slogans and vibrant banners, brought the transport services to a halt across six railway sidings in Koida mining sector. The workers are steadfast in their demands, continuing a sit-in despite the disruption.

“At least seven rakes should be provided every day, which is not being done. As a result, hundreds of incensed and hungry workers have congregated and are protesting today seeking immediate solution to their demands,” Bonai MLA Laxman Munda said.

“Around 5,000 workers are agitating and this will be intensified in the days ahead if the demands are not met and at least seven rakes are provided at six railway sidings soon,” the local MLA said to OTV.

“More than 15,000 workers are getting their daily wages from the six loading sites and are managing their families. The railway department should at least provide seven rakes here. We demand that the Department provide seven rakes in the Koida region, on a priority basis. JSW and Rungta are transporting over 10 lakh tonne iron ores,” another leader stated.

Background of the agitation

Workers in Koida's mining region, led by Bonai MLA Laxman Munda and CITU, have escalated protests against mining companies over job security and local employment disparities. The agitation intensified on March 26, 2025, with the closure of all six railway sidings in Koida block, effectively paralyzing iron ore transportation.

Broader labour unrest in Sundargarh

Sundargarh district faces recurring labor conflicts, including January 2025 clashes at JSW's Narayanposh mines and October 2024 protests at ArcelorMittal's Segasahi mines. These disruptions threaten industrial recovery efforts and investor confidence in the mineral-rich region.

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Key demands of workers

Protesters demand the nullification of existing corporate agreements, increased local hiring, infrastructure development, and adequate availability of railway rakes for ore transport. They oppose the replacement of traditional transportation methods with conveyor belts, which threaten 12,000 jobs linked to existing logistics networks.