Losing homestead land twice! Railway project sparks fresh protest in Odisha

In a fresh wave of unrest, residents of the Daspalla area in Nayagarh district have opposed the ongoing railway project, fearing the loss of their homestead land once again.

As per reports, residents of Rait Odasara village had earlier lost their ancestral land in 1985 for the construction of the Kuanria Dam. Following the displacement, they were rehabilitated near Buguda village.

Now, as the Khordha-Bolangir railway project is passing through the same resettled area and construction work is progressing at a rapid pace, the affected families fear another round of displacement.

In protest, more than a hundred people from 52 families have been staging a day-and-night sit-in protest, expressing their concerns over potential land loss.

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Meanwhile, the Daspalla Tehsildar visited the protest site and attempted to hold discussions with the villagers to resolve the issue. However, no concrete conclusion has been reportedly reached so far.

"There is a possibility that the lands of all local residents may not be affected by the railway project. This matter requires proper inquiry. We are prepared to hold discussions on the issue. After the discussions, appropriate solutions will be identified and necessary steps will be taken accordingly," said Daspalla Tehsildar Smrutiranjan Satpathy.