Salgaijhuri demands justice: Delegation warns of agitation if train halts not restored

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Nov 25: A delegation of the Joint Village Coordination Committee, led by chief convenor Ram Singh Munda, met Chakradharpur DRM Tarun Huriya on Tuesday, submitting a memorandum demanding the restoration of local train halts at Salgaijhuri Railway Station. The delegation said that the sudden cancellation of all local train stoppages has severely affected thousands of daily-wage labourers, vegetable vendors and regular commuters.

The memorandum listed key demands, including restoring all local train halts as before, expediting the underpass under construction near the station, starting the ticket booking counter immediately, constructing platforms and a well-equipped passenger rest shed, building an approach road from Salgaijhuri to Govindpur station and constructing an overbridge near the Barigoda railway gate.

DRM Huriya stepped outside his office to meet the delegation. He assured them that the stoppages were removed “temporarily due to security issues” and would be restored once safety arrangements were completed. The committee, however, expressed dissatisfaction. District Council member Kusum Purti said, “The DRM’s assurance is not satisfactory. It appears even the station inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister is being overlooked.”

Local residents recalled that the station was inaugurated via video conferencing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 February 2024, bringing joy to thousands of villagers. Since the Tata–Kolkata route was built, they said, passenger trains have always stopped there.

The committee warned that if no concrete decision is taken within 15 days, they will launch a full-scale agitation, including protests and taking the matter up with the MP. Representatives present included Dubraj Nag, Prakash Sandeel, Tulsi Mahato, Rudra Munda, Kanhaiya Pandey, PK Karua, Sanjay Singh and several others.