Residents of Bhadrak district have stepped up their demand for passenger train services on the Bhadrak–Dhamara railway route. Members of the Bhadrak Dhamara Rail Sangram Samiti staged a protest outside the Bhadrak District Collector’s office to press for their demand.

While freight trains currently operate on the route, passenger services remain absent, causing inconvenience to local residents, students, and workers who rely on affordable public transport. Despite repeated appeals over the years, no passenger trains have been introduced.

The protesters highlighted that the railway line was built after farmers in the area gave up large portions of their fertile land, but the local population has yet to benefit from it. They urged the Railway authorities and the state government to start passenger train services immediately.

Bikash Nath, president of the Bhadrak Dhamara Rail Sangram Samiti, said nearly 1,000 acres of fertile land were surrendered by farmers about 25 years ago at nominal prices. “We never demanded anything in return. Our only expectation was passenger train services for the people of this area. Since that has not happened, we are now compelled to raise our demand,” he said.

The Committee warned that if their demand continues to be ignored, the agitation would intensify in the coming days. The district administration has assured the protesters that their concerns will be forwarded to the relevant authorities for action.