The Thakurani Surakshya Samiti of Barbil is opposing transportation of iron ore from the Sarda Mines under Barbil forest range of Joda mining sector.
The outfit's main contention is that instead of transporting the materials on NH-520 via Murga road, the mining company is despatching the same on forest road passing through the villages of Thakurani, Soyabali and Dalki situated under reserve forest of Barbil by which local villagers are affected by dust, pollution and traffic problem.
In this regard they have submitted a memorandum to the district Collector, Keonjhar on May 18 through the Joint Director of Mines,Joda, the local Tehsildar and the Forest Range Officer, Barbil and threatened to stop the transporting by blocking the road if their demands were not fulfilled within the stipulated time.
When contacted, Joint Director of Mines Salil Kumar Behera, who is issuing the TP ( Transit Permit), told that there was no violation of TP.
Barbil Tehsildar Khirod Kumar Behera told that he had nothing to say if the lories were passing in the permitted route but he would inquire into the allegations if any private land was affected by such transport as alleged by the Samiti. However, Head of Sarada mines Arjun Sarasat said that the company was despatching the former mines materials to the buyers who were transporting the same to their respective destinations after obtaining due permission from the proper authorities as per the Integrated Mines Minerals and Mechanised System.
He further added that many local villagers were engaged in the transportation of iron ore and the company would try to solve any individual genuine problem.