A public hearing for JSW subsidiary Bhushan Steel & Power Limited’s Netrabandha Iron Ore Mines was peacefully organised on Wednesday at Baladihi village under Koira Tahsil of Sundargarh district for the requisite of environment clearance.
Over 500 residents from the periphery villages of the mines participated in large numbers while 50 of them expressed their opinion in favour of the project. public representatives also reportedly supported the company’s move.
The concerned State Government officials were present at the public hearing. JSW COO Ranjan Nayak, Project Head Ashesh Kumar Padhy, Operation Head BRK Padhi and others were also present.
It was clearly communicated that there would be no displacement under this mining activity and the company would implement modern technology and adopt sustainable mining practices with effective environment management. The Netrabandha Pahar block has geological reserves of 77.25 MT, of which 61.9 million tonnes are high-grade deposits.
The company is actively involved in periphery development in the villages even before its mining operation. The company has installed around 30 solar streetlights while around 200 streetlights are under installation process. The company is also addressing the drinking water crisis by installing bore-wells.
Setting up a dispensary is also in pipeline to address health issues of villagers. An ambulance would also be provided for the villagers’ benefit, said a company release.