Agra: Protest for ROB and road at Barakhamba enters second day; DM assures work stalled since 24 October will resume

The protest demanding the construction of a road and a Railway Overbridge (ROB) at Barakhamba in the Arjun Nagar area of Agra continued for the second day on Wednesday. Due to the construction of the Idgah-Kheria ROB, Barakhamba is being used as an alternative route, which is reported to be in a dilapidated condition. According to local traders and residents, the problems of traffic jams, mud, and encroachment have persisted on this route for four days.

MP reaches protest site, speaks to DM

On Wednesday afternoon, Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman reached the protest site with his supporters. He spoke to the District Magistrate over the phone and informed him about the public's distress and resentment. It was stated that the District Magistrate assured that the work, which has been stalled since 24 October, would resume after the Legislative Council elections on 23 October. Details of the stalled work are currently unavailable.

Samajwadi Party state secretary Mamta Taplu and former councilor Shyam Bhojwani also extended their support to the protest.

Issue of traders' losses

Mamta Taplu said that traders are suffering heavy financial losses due to the road closure and the lack of repairs to the alternative route during the festive season and the upcoming wedding season. She advised that the alternative route be repaired. She also raised questions about the inconvenience caused to the general public due to the road being closed without prior preparation. There is also a railway crossing in the Barakhamba area.

MLA says he will raise the issue in the DM's meeting

Earlier, BJP MLA GS Dharmesh reached the area but did not go to the protest site. The people present there expressed their displeasure over this. The MLA stated that he was heading to a meeting at the District Magistrate's office and would raise the issue there.

Havan in the evening

In the evening, a havan was performed for the 'good sense' of the railway administration, district administration, and public representatives. During this, several people including Assembly constituency president Amir Singh Faujdar, Rajesh Chaudhary, Raza Ahmed, farmer-labor leader Dilip Singh Chaudhary, councilor Indrapal Singh, Digvijay Singh, Jitendra Gandhi, Som Chaudhary, Rajesh Yadav, Kanhaiya Rai, and Manoj Notnani were present.

No separate statement has been issued by the railway administration or the district administration regarding this matter so far.