Villagers of Khaliapali are up in arms against the ACC Cement Ltd for its alleged faulty fly ash management.
Sources said crops in large tracts of land have been damaged after spilling of fly ash slurry generated from the Captive Power Plant (CPP) of ACC Cements Limited in Khaliapali. Incessant rains had led to melting of the fly ash mound dumped in the village. This spilled into agricultural fields damaging standing crops in villages of Khaliapali, Banjibahali and Baragad.
The people of Khaliapali accused ACC Cement of taking over Gochar (Grazing) land of the village besides the cemetery yard and cremation ground of over 12 acres and forcibly dumping fly ash despite protests.
They said fly ash has become a nuisance in the village as it covers the houses and village tank rendering water unfit for human use. “Over the years, fly ash has even resulted in health problems among villagers,” alleged Amant Mahanand, a farmer.
Additional District Magistrate Srinibas Kabi said the Regional Office of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has been moved over the issue. However, OSPCB Regional Officer S S Mishra said they had not received any complaint from the Bargarh administration.