SCCL Naini coal block of Telengana faces stiff public opposion in Odisha. - Alleged violation of AMP norms -

By Bijay Mishra
Angul , 13-3-26

Violating established conditions of “Approved Mining Plan ”, Environmental Clearance (EC) norms , the Naini coal Block  authorities at Chhendipada of Angul in connivance with  some coal transporters trying to transport huge amount  of coal through Kosala village via Angul–Chhendipada State Highway 

Thousands of villagers of Kosala along with people of periphery 10 other panchayats have strongly protested and blocked the coal transportation through trucks from Naini coal block of Chhendipada , alleging heavy coal dust pollution . They have blocked the road day and night and opposed any coal transportation through their village , which has created law and order situation in the area . The agitation lead by village president Krutarta Sahu &  Sidharta Sankar Sahu was actively supported by political leaders like Er Sashmita Behera & Susanta Behera.  

Naini Coal Mine  of Chhendipada , Angul is a 10 million-tonnes-per-annum opencast mine operated by Singareni Collieries, a subsidiary of Coal India. The mine will supply coal to Singareni's 2x600 megawatt power plant in Pegadapalli of Telengana , for which Odisha Government allowed total mining area lease for the project of 912.79 hectares, including 783 hectares of forest land (643 hectares of which is reserve forest). For this Telengana project , Odisha Govt cut trees from this vast forest  land of 783 hector in the “ critical polluted ” area of Angul with the active support of some political leaders and administration.  

To tramsport the coal from mine, concerned authorities are now insisting to use kosala road.  

Thousands of villagers have been actively preventing Coal Transportation on Village Roads and SH-63, and demanded to ensure Compliance with “Approved Rail-Based Transport Plan for SCCL Naini Coal Mine.” 

 “As per the Approved Mining Plan (January 2019), coal production is scheduled to commence from April 2025. However, till date, no dedicated or approved mining-plan road infrastructure has been developed for coal evacuation as mandated leading to severe impacts on public safety, environmental quality, and community welfare. “- told  Activist Sashmita Behera . 

”Such illegal coal transportation could lead to air pollution due to coal dust, increase the risk of road accidents, and damage village infrastructure.Allowing coal trucks through the village road would violate the conditions of the Environmental Clearance.“- told Village Secretary and Activist Sidharta Sankar Sahu.“

”The total Chhendipada-Angul road and around 32 villages including Angul Municipal areas have directly became unsafe and heavily polluted due to illegal , unauthorised coal transportation via public roads . “- told  Advocate Chita Ranjan Sahu , Secretary ” Citizen Action Forum In a communicatio to President of India & other concerned authorities,  the villagers demanded  to ensure their fundamental right to live safely: “We want to live, not perish in dust and danger.”