Balangir: Members of various associations, organisations and forums have unanimously decided to protest against the alleged indifferent attitude of the East Coast Railway towards the demands of local people.

At a meeting convened by the Balangir Railway Users' Association on Sunday evening, they took the decision to stage protest in front of the station manager's office at Balangir railway station here on March 3.

Various demands of the local people include speedy completion of the ongoing railway track-doubling work between Sambalpur and Titilagarh, installation of coach display board at Balangir railway station and launch of direct trains to New Delhi and Allahabad via Balangir railway station.

The organisation members flayed the railway for not paying heed to their demands. The protesters also came down heavily on the peoples' representatives of these areas, especially the two MPs from Balangir, for letting down the people.

District co-ordinator of the Aam Admi Party Ajaya Das said they had approached local MP Kalikesh Singhdeo several times with their demands, but in vain.

"We have urged the Balangir MP several times to ensure that a coach display board is installed at the railway station. But, he does not pay any attention to the demand," Das said.

Balangir Citizens' Forum president Bhabani Shankar Satapathy said they had no option left before them apart form taking the protest path.

Echoing the same, Balangir Action Committee convener Gopaljee Panigrahi said they planned to stage a rail roko to press for their demands.