ANGUL: People of Kaniha are up in arms against rampant pollution by hundreds of coal laden trucks plying through the villages to and from Jindal India Thermal power plant.
The plant authorities are using the roads built by Roads and Building Department for coal transport causing inconvenience to the travelling people besides pollution. The plant authorities draw coal from Kaniha mine located at a distance of about 10 kms. They have written to local administration and also informed the Collector in this regard. “People complained about the pollution caused by the trucks carrying coal from Kaniha mine to power plant. We have initiated talks with villagers,” said Kaniha Tehsildar
RR Swain.
Earlier, the villagers of Derenge and Ghantianali had threatened to stop production of the plant unless it closes a crusher unit set up near their village.
General Manager of the plant Anup Jain said there was no stone crusher. In fact, it was a coal crusher. He also denied pollution caused either by crusher or trucks.
Workers demand wage hike
Angul: Bindol sponge iron plant workers have resorted to cease work since Monday over their demands. Their agitation has hit sponge iron production. Among other things, they are demanding wage hike, bonus and provision of drinking water and canteen on the plant premises. The plant employees 400 casual workers and 300 regular employees and most of them are land oustees of Ekgharia village. They said the agitation would continue till their legitimate demands are met by the plant management. Director of the plant refused to comment.