The ongoing betel vines demolition drive for the proposed JSW project in Erasama coast near Paradip ended on Monday.
As many as 822 vines were razed while 757 betel growers received compensation amount of Rs 19 crore.
Interestingly, the anti-JSW bastion Dhinkia village recorded destruction of the highest number of betel vines. About 272 betel vine growers had consented for sacrificing their vines. Of them in 261 cases, vines were razed and compensation was awarded to 218 betel farm losers.
According to a JSW Press release, the betel vines clearing had been launched on December 22 last from Govindapur Panchayat where 102 vines were cleared. Then the drive was undertaken in Dhinkia Panchayat.
Dhinkia Panchayat’s other revenue village Patana where 225 betel vine cultivators had consented for their vines demolition, compensation was paid to the land losers.