Shot in arm for Jindal promoters industry dossier

Shot in arm for Jindal promoters industry dossier

Santosh Patnaik, Deccan Chronicle

29th June 2007

* By allotting land, the State has brushed aside public opposition to the project

VISAKHAPATNAM: By allotting 1,086 acres and approving the compensation package for the project-affected people last week, the State Government wants to brush aside opposition to the 1.4 million tonnes per annum alumina refinery proposed by the Jindal South West Aluminium Limited.

Having mentioned that "water demand for various activities during the construction stage will be satisfied from the Raiwada reservoir located 25 km from the plant site through a pipeline" in the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment, the JSW, which is setting up the refinery at Boddavara near S. Kota at a cost of Rs. 5,000 crores, is at the receiving end following criticism from various quarters.

The Cabinet decision has come at a time when the morale of the refinery management is at low ebb. It received a big blow when an overwhelming majority who attended the public hearing held at Kiltampalem on June 4 opposed the project.

Vizianagaram Joint Collector M. Jaganmohan stated in the minutes that out of 40 persons who spoke at the public hearing, except four, all others opposed the project.

The all-party committee had taken strong exception to the claim of the JSW that they had arrived at an understanding with the GVMC for supply of 8 mgd from the Godavari water project. Even as the JSW tried to lure the project-affected to give their consent with the offer of equity participation, which is equivalent to the cash compensation to be paid to them, several corporators opposed the supply of Godavari water without the consent of GVMC council.

Row over water supply

"The Godavari water reaching the city is not enough to meet domestic requirement. How can the government sell it when there is no clearance for mining bauxite from Anantagiri hill range," asked CPI (M) district secretary Ch. Narsinga Rao.