Bokaro, Feb. 23: The call for more long-distance trains to and from Bokaro has just got louder.
Several organisations — including Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Youth Power Association and Bokaro Railway Passengers Association — and leaders of political parties have sought to know from railway minister Mamata Banerjee why Bokaro did not have its due share of long distance trains despite being the highest revenue earner for Adra railway division for the last four years.
Taking up the demands of thousands of residents of southern and western India presently working at Bokaro steel plant and Coal India companies, the associations have demanded new and fast trains to Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.
They have also sought the extension of Black Diamond Express, Coalfield Express, Hatiya-Yashwantpur Express, Rupasi Bangla Express and Ranchi-Puri Express till Bokaro.
A memorandum to Banerjee stated that as Bokaro steel city was witnessing huge industrial and academic growth with the setting up of a new steel plant, a methane plant of ONGC, Jaypee Cement’s plant and opening of two medical and engineering colleges, new trains were must for improved connectivity.
The memorandum also demanded daily plying of Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express through Bokaro.
Leading city businessman Manoj Bhalotia and hotelier Deepak Gupta said as Bokaro was not benefiting by staying within Adra railway division, it should either be affiliated to Ranchi or Dhanbad railway division. They also demanded faster trains to Gujarat and Karnataka.
Taking up the cause of lakhs of Biharis working in different coalfields and steel plant, the demands also included direct trains to Darbhanga, Katihar and besides extension of Hatia-Patna Express till Buxar.
Speaking to The Telegraph, president of Bokaro chamber of commerce Sanjay Baidya said due to the lack of fast and long distances trains to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and other destinations, the business community was facing several problems.
There was only one train — Allepey Express — which connected the city to Kerala, but it takes three days to reach the final destination.
“Development of a state depends heavily on good train connectivity. Faster trains must be given to Bokaro,” demanded Shashi Bhushan, senior executive of Bokaro Industries Association.
JMM leader Mantu Yadav warned that if Bokaro did not get its due share of long-distance trains, he would embark on a mass agitation with the aid of all such associations of the city.
