Jajpur/Kalinganagar: A stalemate in coal extraction from mines owned by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) over rehabilitation of displaced population has adversely affected the operation of several industries in Kalinganagar Industrial Estate in Jajpur district, according to a report.
On the other hand, the ‘on and off’ run of the units adds to air pollution making life miserable in Kalinganagar area.
It may be recalled that the mining-affected people of Kalamchhuin and Solada villages under Talcher block paralysed coal extraction in Hingula and Balaram mines of MCL November 1. This had affected coal production and transportation. This apart, the production was also hit during rainy season.
Captive power plants of several industrial units including Visa Steel, Jindal Stainless and Maithan Ispat got affected due to short supply of coal from other areas. Though Maithan closed the plant about a fortnight ago due to coal crunch, they termed it as an annual closure for maintenance purpose. Starting of the plant put the region under a blanket of black fume posing threat to the environment.
Even as the company has failed to curb pollution, it says the black fumes produced Sunday are due to maintenance, locals alleged, adding, the plant authorities are trying to evade imminent action by the Orissa state pollution control board (OSPCB).
Coal scarcity has affected production units of Jindal and Visa also. Though these two plants have not been shut down like Maithan’s, coal shortage can lead to bigger problems for them in coming days, said some officials.
On the other hand, it was alleged that gross scale irregularities have been committed over employment of oustees in MCL. But neither the administration nor MCL authorities bothered to conduct a probe.
Recently, the state government has imposed a penalty of Rs20,169 crore on MCL for extracting coal beyond the permissive limits. The mining department has asked MCL to pay the sum in 60 days. This can also affect coal production and transportation in MCL-owned mines, feared the authorities.
OSPCB regional officer Anup Kumar Mallik said they are yet to get a solution to the pollution caused by the shutdown and restart of plants. Chiranjeevi Agrawal, public relation officer of Visa Steel said the authorities import coal depending on the requirement. PNN
