ECL expansion plan hits roadblock

An expansion project at one of the largest open cast mine in Raniganj coalfileds of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) at Hansdigha in West Bengal’s Burdwan district saw a violent protest over land acquisition today. A few people, including police men, were injured in the incident.

The protests by displaced adivasi families, led by the local member of legislative assembly and Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Gouranga Chatterjee against the colliery operations at Hansdigha, took a violent turn after about 170 protestors tried to break a barricade by police at the site. “The protestors threw stones at the security personnel there. Our effort to counter this resulted in a scuffle and a few policemen were injured,” said Humayun Kabir, superintendent of police, Burdwan. According to reports, some locals were also injured because of the police action.

The decision to develop an open cast colliery was cleared in an all-party meeting. “About 15 days ago, there was another meeting, but the local MLA came up with further demands asking for schools, roads and other rehabilitation package. However, we have ensured that the site is cleared and works start normally,” he said.

The project was part of the expansion of Sonpur Bazari, the largest open cast mine in Raniganj coalfields of ECL. The expansion was to increase the capacity of the mine from 3 million tonne to 8 million tonne per annum. Raniganj Coalfield is where the first mining operation in India happened. “Hansdigha is a small patch for this and land was acquired here much before in 2004. Those displaced were also rehabilitated and compensated then,” clarified Niladri Roy, technical secretary to chairman and managing director, ECL.

According to ECL, works were supposed to start at Hansdigha in January, which was stopped by the unions then, citing assembly elections. “The works were stopped again, when it started on May 17. After asking for help from the state government, we started it two-three days before, which was again stopped by the CPM activists. They argue that contractual equipments and companies should not be involved in the project. But for the company this area is vital, as Sonpur Bazari expansion is not possible without this patch,” he said.

This project holds key for the financial stability of the Coal India subsidiary, which was referred to Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) in 1999. The firm expects to come out of BIFR by 2014-15. “It is possible only if the expansion work happens,” Roy said.