Koraput,Dec, 17: Demanding stoppage of express trains at Kakiriguma Railway Station under Laxmipur block of Koraput district, hundreds of men and women gathered today at the station premises and prepared to launch a rail blockade protest.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, all passenger trains used to halt at Kakiriguma station. However, after COVID, stoppages of express and passenger trains at the station were withdrawn. Protesting against this decision, local residents staged a demonstration in front of the station today. Earlier, a delegation had met the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and submitted their grievances, but as no concrete decision was taken, the local people were compelled to come to the streets and begin the agitation.
Kakiriguma is an important station on the KR Line connecting Koraput and Rayagada. Bauxite transportation is carried out through this station, though it has been temporarily stopped for the past few months due to maintenance work. Through this station, the Railways earn crores of rupees in revenue, yet villagers alleged that the Railways are neglecting the basic needs of the local population. Since COVID, stoppages of fast passenger trains on the KR line have been discontinued.
More than 30 villages under seven gram panchayats depend on Kakiriguma railway station. Many residents travel daily to Koraput, Bhubaneswar, Rayagada, Tikiri, and nearby areas. Due to the withdrawal of train stoppages, they are facing severe difficulties. People are now forced to travel to Laxmipur to board trains, despite having a railway station in their own area. Women protesters questioned why they should go to distant places to board trains when a station exists in their village.
Despite repeated appeals to the administration and the Railway authorities, no arrangement for train stoppage has been made. As a result, hundreds of men and women gathered today to stage a rail blockade protest. However, police and the administration did not permit the protesters to approach the railway tracks, and the demonstration remained confined to the station premises.
The administration informed that a Railway Board meeting is scheduled to be held in January, where the issue of train stoppages at various stations will be discussed. A collective assurance has been given that arrangements for train stoppages may be made by March.
Keeping law and order in mind, elaborate security arrangements were made by the police. The administration stated that the demand of the protesters is a genuine and justified one. On Wednesday, the agitators submitted a memorandum to J. V. Kiro, Additional ACM (Railways), who assured them that the memorandum would be forwarded to higher authorities and that prompt action would be requested.
For maintaining law and order, Additional Tahasildar Madhab Bhatra was deployed as Executive Magistrate. Koraput SDPO Sanjay Kumar Mandal, Laxmipur IIC Sujnani Sahu, Bandhugaon IIC Prasanna Kumar Mishra, along with police forces, were present at the spot.
Despite having all basic facilities, train stoppages at Kakiriguma station have not been restored. While all trains used to halt here before COVID, their removal has raised several questions. On the other hand, the administration has reiterated that this is a legitimate and justified demand of the common people.