On Wednesday last, there was a staged protest by some residents of Malipada village near here over Vedanta’s construction of an ash pond in the village’s vicinity. The protesters threatened to launch a demonstration if such a pond was dug. In response to the protest, residents of Katikela village have now openly come out in support of the company. They spoke out against the hue and cry instigated by local vested interest groups. The residents came out with strong views, stating that in no way has the ash pond been a source of problem for the residents since its construction in 2010.
According to the villagers, Vedanta’s intervention in the area started off with the construction of cemented roads, a Jagannath temple and various medical initiatives. In doing all this, the villagers had always been consulted and made a stakeholder in the region’s development.
They refuted the false claims of people dying due to any pollution caused due the ash pond-3. To this day, no one has fallen ill due to any pollution, they pointed out.