Nagpur: Amid protests against the proposed iron ore mining in
Gadchiroli’s Torgatta village, over 100km away a public hearing on the
expansion of the steel unit at Konseri by Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited
(LMEL) concluded without any objections being raised by locals, says the
company.
LMEL, which has an iron ore mine at Surjagah also in the same district, now plans
to expand its steel unit by setting up a 2x4.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA)
iron ore grinding unit, a 10 MTPA thickening and filteration unit and a 2x4
MTPA iron ore pellet plant. The sponge iron plant which comes under the first
phase is begin built and the production is expected to start in August. This
would be the first ever industry in the Maoist-affected district. Ion ore
needed for the units will be sourced from Surjagarh.
According to LMEL, as many as 3,000 persons from local areas that would be
affected by the project turned up for the hearing. There were no objections
though demands for setting up amenities like hospitals and schools were raised
by the locals.
District collector Sanjay Meena too confirmed that the process was
peaceful. He added that the project was not opposed as such, though some NGOs
made their submissions online.
Those opposing mining at Torgatta too were absent, said sources.
Former zilla parishad member and one of the key leaders in the protest Lalsu
Nagoti too confirmed that he did not attend the hearing. “I did see the public
hearing advertisement but did not attend it. I don’t know if the others
attended it. As access was denied, I preferred not to go,” he said. Nagoti
added that no matter how much these projects are opposed, the efforts go in
vain. “If you oppose mining you are branded a Maoist,” he says.
Ramdas Jarate, another leader opposing mining, said orders for activists to
leave the taluka during President Droupadi Murmur’s visit and strict measures
against them discouraged him from taking part in the public hearing. Those
opposing projects were not only denied access, but are also under strict
surveillance.