The Bhartiya Bikash Parishad has urged the Railways to fulfil its various demands, including extension of three important trains and construction of new railway lines, at the earliest.

Addressing a Press meet recently, Parishad members criticised the Railway authorities for neglecting south Odisha’s main city Brahmapur for long.

Parishad president Surendra Panigrahi said people of Brahmapur have been demanding for extending trains like Rajdhani Express, Sampark Kranti Express and Lokmanya Tilak Express to Brahmapur, but in vain. 

“The Railway authorities have taken a plea that these trains can’t be extended as water facility is unavailable at Brahmpuar station for washing of trains. While Bhubaneswar-bound trains are being washed at nearby the Mancheswar railway station, the trains, when extended, can be washed at nearby Sorada Road or Jagannathpur or Golanthara stations,” argued Panigrahi.

The Parishad also demanded a stoppage for Howrah-Pondichery weekly train at Brahmpaur and introduction of new train from Brhampur to Ahmadabad in view of large number of labourers from Ganjam working in Surat.

Other demands included making Brahmapur a railway division, construction of a new railway line from Gopalpur to Balangir and from Brahmpuar to Digapahandi, Mohana and Rayagada and construction of night shelters and public convenience outside the Brahmapur railway station.

Panigrahi informed that memorandums have already been sent to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minster for fulfillment of the above demands Among others, lawyer Dr Siva Prasad Mishra, Sarat Chandra Behera, Trinath Moharana, Manas Ranjan Patro, Sukanta Panda and Surjya Narayan Behera were present.