BJP’s economic blockade called off in Tandwa

Chatra: BJP-led economic blockade in the industrial town of Tandwa, which began on Saturday, concluded on Wednesday evening following a meeting involving BJP leaders, NTPC officials and a team led by Simaria subdivisional officer Sunny Raj.
The BJP, with the support of local people and various business organisations, put forward two demands — uninterrupted power supply to Tandwa from the NTPC-owned 1980 MW North Karnpura super thermal power station (NKSTPS) and no entry of coal-laden heavy vehicles on roads crossing populated areas from 6 am to 10 pm.The agitation halted transportation of coal from Central Coalfields' largest mines to various power plants across India, including NKSTPS. This prompted officials to hold talks with agitators led by BJP MLA of Simaria, Kishun Das. However, the talks failed as agitators refused to call off the blockade until their demands were met.
On Wednesday, a meeting was held at the block office, attended by NTPC officials, including project head Ajay Kumar Shukla, block officials led by Raj, BJP MLA Kishun Das, district president of the party, Ramdeo Singh Bhogta, and others. Shukla said that Tandwa currently receives power supply from Hazaribag through a 65km supply network passing through Sindoor, Demotand, Barkagaon, and Keredari. He added that a new 132 KVA transmission line is under construction, which will take eight more months to complete, after which zero-cut supply will be possible in Tandwa. Not convinced by their claims, MLA Kishun Das said that they would not call off their agitation until a concrete solution was found.
Raj assured them of a resolution within 15 days and promised to raise the issue of restricting the entry of heavy vehicles in the road safety committee meeting.