A public hearing for the proposed 10 million tonne annual capacity coal washery project in Ib valley coal field was held amid a boycott of the local people.
As soon as the meeting started at Indra Dhanush, Bandhbahal on Monday, locals stormed into the meeting ground and opposed the washery .They alleged it will aggravate the current pollution problem.
Notably, Union Coal Secretary Anil Swarup has laid the foundation stone of the coal washery at lakhanpur area during his three-day visit recently.
Presided over by ADM Sitaram patel, the hearing was attended by Sub Collector B K Dhal, lakhanpur Tehsildar Dolamani Patel, Regional Officer of Pollution Control Board Niranjan Mallick and other officials of the district administration. Senior MCl officials were present.
lakhanpur area General Manager Brahmapurakar said that pollution in coal washery will not be that much as apprehended by public, as all steps would be taken to bring it under control.
Anticipating any law and order situation, SDPO Churamani Nayak, Banharpalli IIC Anand Bardhan Guru, Rengali IIC Purusottam Bhol, SI Jogeswer were present on the spot with one platoon of force.
Kushraloi Sarpanch Raghu Pradhan said the MCl has given a report to pollution control board that the coal washery would create much pollution in the buffer zone which includes Bandhbahal, Baragarh, Bhutia, Chharla, Darlipali, Khairkani, Kudopali, lakhanpur, Pandari, Telenpali, Tingismal, Ubuda and Basupali. He said over 43,770 people would be in affected.
The district administration along with pollution control officials declared the hearing as failed.