Locals block IOCL main road over waterlogging

Paradip: Vehicular movement along the IOCL main road came to a standstill after locals blocked the road protesting lack of efforts on the part of concerned authorities to address waterlogging problems in five moujas of Jagantsinghpur.

“We blocked the IOCL road to protest waterlogging in our area. We are marooned and it’s too hard to live in such conditions. Till our demands are not met we will continue our protests,” said Bharati Biswal, a local.

According to the sources, incessant rains across the state recently led to waterlogging in Rangiagarh, Siju, Bagadia, Pradipgarh, Fatehpur and Trilochanpur areas of Jagatsinghpur. The locals blamed that blockage of drainage pathways after the construction of the IOCL plant has given rise to waterlogging problems in the area.

“People in the area are deprived of fresh drinking water and we demand supply of potable water from IOCL Township to the villages. Moreover, waterlogging problems should be addressed as soon as possible," said Paradipgarh sarpanch, Mihir Ranjan Sahoo.

Till last reports came in, locals have called off their strike after discussions with concerned officials.