The train that never came… Orissa families left in the cold

Many are now left with no option but to spend another cold night under open sky near the railway station, awaiting the next Gujarat-bound train to chug in.

To make matters worse, the Surat control room telephone numbers being flashed on the media were virtually inaccessible owing to the heavy load on the telephone lines and even those who managed to get through were left unsatisfied as the authorities could not provide them with concrete information.

Amidst all the confusion and chaos, however, news confirming the death of one migrant labourer trickled in. Sudam Nayak of Panchama village in Chatrapur has been confirmed dead by Gulmitra police station and intimated to family members of Nayak who live in Phulbani now.

This apart, rumours and unconfirmed information of more deaths flew thick and fast all over Ganjam. When contacted, Ganjam district administration denied having received any information.