Chitrakonda: Chemically mixed iron ore dust and liquid spilled onto a road and nearby farmland after a slurry pipeline operated by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India burst near Pabiliguda village in Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri district at about 11 am Tuesday.
The incident sparked panic among locals, with people travelling along the affected road complaining of burning sensations in their eyes and difficulty breathing after the pipeline ruptured near the Chitrakonda boosting centre in Pabiliguda village. Large quantities of chemical-laced and iron-bearing material also spread over agricultural land, raising concerns among farmers about possible damage to crops and soil quality, it was learnt. Company officials later reached the site, repaired the damaged section of the pipeline and put safety measures in place.
The company said it would assess the damage to the affected farmland and provide compensation to farmers in accordance with applicable rules. According to company officials, iron ore is transported in slurry form through the pipeline from Kirandul to Visakhapatnam. The pipeline passes through Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Local residents have demanded a proper investigation to determine the cause of the rupture and assess its environmental impact.
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