Jharsuguda (Bijay Shankar Dash): Tension is brewing in the Banjari and Kudaloi areas ahead of the upcoming SIA Public Hearing scheduled for November 17. Locals fear a repeat of the chaos that unfolded during the last public hearing at Pipilimal on August 1, 2023, after the auction of the Kudaloi North A Coal Block.
During that event, hundreds of villagers had gathered to voice their concerns, but many alleged that they were denied entry despite being directly affected by the proposed project. Heavy police deployment including an Additional SP, six DSPs, seven inspectors, and ten platoons of police created a charged atmosphere. Reports also suggest that several bouncers were present at the site, and that individuals who were not among the affected families were allowed inside, while genuine locals were stopped at Milan Chhak, Belpahar.
With Vedanta Ltd. having secured the mining rights in 2021, the project spans 2,385 acres across Pipilimal, Belpahar, Banjari, Dhuruamunda, Kudaloi, and Bartap villages, potentially impacting thousands. The mine is expected to produce eight million tonnes of coal annually.
Learning from the past, over a hundred residents from Banjari have now submitted a memorandum to the Jharsuguda District Collector, demanding assurance that every affected villager will be allowed to participate and present their views in the upcoming hearing.
“We don’t want a repeat of the 2023 Pipilimal incident. This time, our voices must be heard,” said Sarpanch Seema Sahu and local leader Dhananjay Bhoi, echoing the sentiment of the villagers.
Locals have urged the district administration to ensure full transparency, equal representation, and a peaceful environment during the November 17 Public Hearing to maintain trust and fairness in the process.
