Citizens angry as Berhampur is repeatedly ignored by the Railways

Following is an excerpt from a news report in http://www.tathya.in/

It seems the nerve centre of the Southern Odisha is on boil.

Angry citizens are sending e-mails to the CM Naveen Patnaik and other high functionaries of the State and Central Government over the callous attitude meted out to Berhampur.

And the BJD MP from Berhampur is facing flak due to his lip seal approach on burning issues.

Intelligentsia, young students and social activist are sending e-mails venting their anger and frustration over apathetic approach of the BJD Government as it is ignoring the genuine problems of the area.

Taking the lead R P Tripathy has blamed both State and Centre in neglecting the Berhampur time and again.

While the Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri railway stations are being developed as World class and Modern Railway Stations, Berhampur Rail Station does not figure in the list of Indian Railway Board.

Echoing his voice Prasanna Kumar Mishra, former Union Secretary lashed on the authorities leaving Berhampur like a way side Railway Station.

Berhampur station must be developed into a terminal facility with trains going to Koraput, Parlakhemundi, Chennai, Kolkata,Surat etc.

It is a pity that the station still has the look and facility of yet another roadside station, lamented he.

Abhisek Mishra, an angry young man from the southern zone has blamed it on the cine-actor turned BJD MP from Berhampur .

Mr.Mishra alleged that Siddhanta Mahapatra has turned out to be a puppet politician playing inconsequential role in state and national politics.

Siddhanta a leading actor of Ollywood joined politics in 2009 and has won as the BJD MP with huge votes from Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

His performance inside the parliament is far from satisfactory and even tribal first time MPs of South Odisha and his colleagues from Nabarangpur, Phulbani and Koraput are doing better job than him.

This is really a pity that Berhampur parliamentary seat which has sent national stalwarts to the Lok sabha has come to be represented by undeserving leaders like the present one.

There are so many issues that confront Berhampur and South Odisha, said he.

Starting from water crisis and negligence by Indian Railways, undue delay in NH-5 golden quadrilateral project and NH-217 bypass for the city, undue delay in STPI project to establishment of IIIT and NID in Berhampur, inclusion of Berhampur under JNNURM to Unitary University status for Khallikote College, list is unending.

But, the MP stays in Bhubaneswar and hardly visits the city, let alone stay in Berhampur city and understand the problems of the people, though claims to be a Son of the Soil, lamented Mr.Mishra.

Even inside parliament he hardly asks questions or raises any issue of public interest, pointed out he.

It is still to be known whether the MP is serious about his role or just thinks his present job to be an extension of his acting profession.

But, one thing the MP must keep in mind that in Politics if some one fails to deliver there is no chance for a re-take and people just dump lock stock and barrel though they may continue to appreciate acting talents of the Ollywood star, warned Abhisek.

Siba Prasad Tripathy on a positive note has pointed out that Berhampur and Rourkela happen to be the two largest cities of Odisha, after the State capital.

And both are primary rail heads of Southern and Western Odisha respectively catering to millions of the people.

But, it is unfortunate that people have time and again brought to the notice of the Chief Minister the greatly felt need for a direct train service between these two cities.

In fact, till the year 2000, the Hirakhand Express used to connect these two cities but the train was withdrawn causing severe inconvenience to the general public and commuters.

A direct train service between Berhampur-Rourkela needs to be considered which may take the route Berhampur-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Keonjhar-Chakradharpur-Rourkela route.

This will not only connect almost 10 districts and four major urban centres i.e., Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela but will bring South Odiissa and Western Odisha a closer to each other leading to their development. In view of its need and being a long standing demand of the masses may kindly be considired at the earliest.

Ajay Sahu has also pointed out that approximately 10 lakh Ganjam people stay at Surat since many decades.

Mr.Sahu has demanded with the Indian Railway Board authorities should add a few coaches which can be de-linked at Khurdha junction and can proceed to Berhampur-Paralakhemundi and Gunupur.

This will benefit the commuters in a big way, said he.

Source Link: http://www.tathya.in/2009/story.asp?sno=3596