ANGUL: The survey work for second phase expansion project of JSPL, which started in Jarada and Jamuda villages here on Sunday, was affected due to disruptions by some locals. They staged road blockades at various places affecting the movement of the survey team members.
Even as 1800 acres of land in six villages including Janmuda, Badkerejang and Paripara under Banarpal and Chhendipada blocks, were acquired by JSPL for expansion work six years back, the company is yet to take possession of land due to frequent opposition by villagers under the banner of Birankeswar Silpanchal Khyatigrastha Praja Sangh.
They are demanding more compensation for land acquisition and employment in lieu of land. The Sangh members had boycotted meetings over the issue for the last four years till April 7 when they agreed to allow the JSPL and Government officials to conduct a survey in all the six villages on socio-economic impact of the project.
According to the mandate of sub-committee of JSPL Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC), the survey work is to be completed in all six affected villages within 60 days.
While the survey team comprising Government officials started the survey work in Jarada and Jamuda villages on Sunday, they had to face road blockades that were allegedly staged by the villagers under the aegis of the Sangh.
“Contrary to the assurance of Birankeswar Silpanchal Khyatigrastha Praja Sangh to cooperate in the survey work, we had to face disruptions that would ultimately have an impact on the expansion work,” said an official of the survey team.