By Express News Service
ROURKELA: As Hemgir villagers proceed their protest in opposition to MCL for the ninth consecutive day, the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) appears to be caught on the incorrect foot for reportedly declaring that it makes use of the particular coal corridors for transporting coal from its Kulda mines with out trespassing residential areas.
Accusing the MCL authorities of creating false declarations, the agitators, who reportedly have assist of political events, are adamant to not permit coal transportation via village areas. The protest has disrupted coal provide to Chhattisgarh via Bankibahal-Taparia Major District Road (MDR) since January 19.
Documents in possession of TNIE reveal that MCL had utilized for growth of its Kulda Open Cast Project (KOCP) from 10 million tonnes every year (MTPA) to 14 MTPA, to the Ministry of Forest, Environment & Climate Change on January 10, 2020 and was allowed continuation of the sooner surroundings clearance order. On March 27, 2020, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) issued a recent consent order to the coal main for discharge of sewage and commerce effluents.
MCL, in its submission, claimed that ‘coal transportation is being carried out as per the provisions and route proposed in the approved Mining Plan. Transportation of coal through the existing road passing through any village has been avoided. Special corridors have been constructed thus bypassing the neighbouring villages.’
However, the villagers protesting at Taparia village allege that MCL’s claims are unfaithful. They expressed critical considerations over injury to village roads, farmland and crops as a consequence of flying coal mud aside from risk to livelihood of collectors of minor forest merchandise.
The chief of the agitators Tejram Sa mentioned aside from the Bankibahal-Taparia MDR, roads passing via center of Ratansara, Ratanpur, Gopalpur and Bileimunda villages and few different residential areas are bearing the brunt of coal transportation however MCL falsely claims that it makes use of particular coal corridors. While common supervisor of MCL’s Basundhara Area N Jha was not obtainable for remark, a senior MCL officer mentioned it could be incorrect to carry the corporate chargeable for highway transportation of coal by shoppers.
“MCL has created the Kanika-Duduka coal hall price `232 crore for coal motion from mines to railway sidings. For the devoted coal hall from Bhedabahal to Bankibahal, MCL has given `432 crore to the State authorities and work has lately been began by the Works division. However, one other chief Natakishore Mishra mentioned as Bankibhal-Taparia MDR highway is utilized by MCL for coal transportation, there isn’t a justification of the proposed spending of over `146 crore from the District Mineral Foundation.