Nandikoor: Rail Roko by Farmers against illegal transporting of coal

By Subhas Marne
Bellevision Media Network

Nandikoor, Udupi, 01 June 2011: Karnataka State Raitha Sangha and Nandikoor Janajagrathi Samithi activists conducted Rail Roko on Wednesday in protest of the illegal transportation of coal through train by Konkan Railway violating the rules of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Forest Ministry, to Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) which is also in operation violating various rules.

 

Controversial UPCL Power Plant is getting coal through train and is in unhindered operation. Raitha Sangha is now making attempts in this way to defeat the illegal transportation of coal by Konkan Railway, thus tries to defeat the UPCL. Hundreds of activists stopped Ernakulam – Mumbai Mathsyagandha express near Nandikoor railway station for 10 minutes and warned the Konkan Railway Officers that the illegal transportation of coal has to be stopped immediately, otherwise Konkan Railway will be responsible for whatever consequences that might happen.

 

 

Raitha Sangha District President Vijaykumar Hegde spoke on the occasion and said that Konkan Railway has made agreement to transport the coal from Mangalore Port to Nandikoor UPCL Power Plant through train. But as per the 1986 rules of Pollution Control Board coal should be transported in the covered bogies (closed belt conveyer) specifically manufactured for the purpose. But Konkan Railway has clearly violated this and in the last 7 – 8 months it is transporting illegally like this, he accused.

 

Nandikoor Janajagrathi Samithi Hon. President Balakrishna Shetty said that, the legal notice has been already issued to Konkan Railway on 31st March for illegal transportation of coal to UPLC. When Konkan Railway did not stop illegal transportation, on 10th May again notice has been issued. But still Konkan Railway is careless on this issue. Therefore, through this Rail Roko, Konkan Railway is being warned. This is not an appeal to stop transporting of the coal, but an order from Raitha Sangha, he said. One week deadline has been given to Konkan Railway, if they still continue to transport the coal illegally, then people will teach lesson to Konkan Railway, Vijaykumar warned.

 

Konkan Railway Nandikoor Station Master Mahabala Nayak and Superintendent Chayapathi received the appeal from the protesters. The protest was lead by Vijaykumar Hegde, Shashidhara Shetty, Ashok Suvarna from Raitha Sangha, Nagesh Rao from Janajagrathi Samithi, Former Jilla Panchayath Member Neetha Gururaj, Prakash Shetty, Poovappa Poojary, Jitendra Shetty, Ashok Suvarna, Nithin Shetty, Sudhakara Shetty, Vinaya Shetty Yermal and others.