People demonstrated against massive coal mining activities at Chhendipada

By Bijay Mishra
Angul, 06-01-26

Thousand of affected villagers under the banner of “ Anchalika Surakhhya Manch” have demonstrated on Monday against massive coal mining activities at Chhendipada of Angul adversely affecting life & livelihood of lakhs of people.

Addressing a large gathering in a protest meeting at Chhendipada ,   Veteran congress leader & Advisor “ Anchalika Surakhhya Manch” Er Sashmita Behera told that “ without consulting the affected people , as many as about 20 coal mines are going to be operated in a small region of Chhendipada - Kaniha -Talcher area for commercial mining and it will adversely affect lakhs of people of Chhendipada block in particular and Angul district at large . “

While Coal production in Odisha’s largest coal mining district  Angul is estimated to increase nearly 3 times in the next 10 years, reaching over 300 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2033, people are  apprehending a severe disaster in the area .

Now the mineral explorations ,production and transportation of some already  operated coal mines are causing environmental damage in many ways, which includes deforestation, loss of topsoil, accelerated soil erosion, migration of wildlife and avifauna, and addition of air pollutants and dust to the atmosphere.

Simultaneous expansion is planned in other coal-dependent industries, such as fertiliser , steel, aluminium, etc in the district. This will add to further environmental disaster in this critically polluted area.The problem of mining-induced displacement and resettlement poses major risks to societal sustainability in Angul district .

“Without habitation planning , coal mines are allowed to operate in Chhendipada , Talcher and Kaniha area.”- told social activist Dr Biswajit .

Addressing the gathering Mr Sunil Pradhan , District Congress President  told that , Angul is the epicenter of Odisha’s coal mining and industrial economy  and further industrialisation and mining activities along with cement plants , expansion of steel plant and around 20 coal mines  in this area will just aggravate the present disaster.

Unplanned Industrial and mining activities in Angul district escalated Human -elephant  conflict to the extent that hundreds of people have been died in this area in last 5 months.

“Around 260 villages , urban areas and hamlets of Angul district  particularly from  Chhendipada, Talcher , Kaniha , Angul & Banarpal blocks are presently trapped in between coal mines ,  industries  and allied activities , lead to unprecedented socio-economic and environmental hazards to the people .” -told Er Behera

Particularly 60  villages in Chhendipada Tahsil will be trapped further due to proposed / ongoing coal mines including GMDC , NLC & Rungta , for which land acquisition for some mines  have been started all ready . The Govt allowed the companies to acquire the particular villages and areas where coal is available . However , existing in between two mines & industries, the other  villages are also severely suffered due to massive mining and industrial activities.The people of these villages are  suffocated due to sever pollution ,water scarcity and traffic jams caused by rampant mining & industrial activities around them .

After a long rally , thousands of people demonstrated and  strongly oppose coal mining activities in Chhendipada and urged the Govt to stop all the coal mining in this area . Among others Congress leader Mr Digambar Garnaik, Udaynath Behera , Jogindar Sahu , Suresh Sahu , Ranjeeta Pradhan , Pramod Behera , Mihir Pratap Dash , Sisir Satpathy , Surya Narayan Nath , Tankadhar Sahu & Sisir Tripathy addressed the gathering .