Talcher , Odisha : The Talcher road repair protest entered its second day today, launched yesterday at the call of former MP Mahesh Sahu. Protesters demand the urgent construction of a new road from Godibandha to Banarpal on the National Highway in Talcher and immediate repair of the road from Godibandha to NTPC by the responsible company—or else they insist the authorities hand it over to the National Highway Department.
Members of the Talcher Sachetan Nagarik Manch and local truck owners staged the protest by sitting on NTPC railway tracks and roads along the coal corridor near Talcher city at Nua Balanda under Kaniha block. Shri Sahu attended both sites, urging officials to repair the potholed roads that disrupt public movement and demanding the immediate start of the proposed four-lane highway from Godibandha to Banarpal.
He also demanded that NTPC authorities act immediately to construct the road leading to their premises, which has become extremely hazardous. Failing this, he insisted that the National Highway Department should take control of the road. Shri Sahu led the protest for two hours, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
As a result, the blockade stopped coal movement to NTPC JITPL, and coal-laden trucks stranded on both sides of the road. Shri Sahu expressed his frustration that large companies like the Coal Mining Authority, NTPC, and JITPL, despite regularly using the road, have neglected its condition and instead focused on adorning local shrines such as Nida Vishnu, surprising everyone.
Shri Sahu also stated that the movement will continue until the authorities meet the demands.
The protest included several prominent leaders and community members, including former Truck Owners’ Association president Tukuna Swain, Jitendra Bhutia, Gadadhar Sahu, BJD leader Jyoti Ranjan Das, councilor Yashwant Mishra, Babuna Swain, Rajiv Rout, Kush Bihari Samal, Sulekha Sethi, Santosh Sahu, journalists Trilochan Swain, Lipu Rath, Kalia Samal, Harsh Vardhan Samal, and Tapan Kumar Maharana.
Similarly, at Nua Balanda, members of the local conscious citizens’ forum, led by district council member Ranjan Sahu, protested by blocking NTPC railway tracks and highways. Former MP Mahesh Sahu warned that if the administration or companies do not act promptly, the agitation will escalate in the coming days.
