Public hearing successful for Essel Mining's projects

Conducted by State Pollution Control Board, hearing saw the participation of more than 1,000 villagers

The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) conducted the public hearing at Koira (Sundargarh) for capacity ramp up of Koira iron ore mines to four million tonne per annum (mtpa) from 1.5 mtpa presently and also for establishment of a 1.2 mtpa pellet plant at Nuagaon by Aditya Birla Group owned Essel Mining & Industries Ltd (EMIL).

The public hearing that saw the participation of more than 1000 villagers was conducted successfully and peacefully, a company release stated.

Appreciating the local area developmental work being carried out by EMIL, the public in general have proposed to give employment preference to the local youths befitting to their qualification and skills during the meeting.

While endorsing the grant of environment clearance for the project, the villagers  voiced their opinion in the meeting that the proposed projects by EMIL will bring in a holistic development to their area and have requested the company to continue the developmental activities with more strength and vigor.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Rabindra Nath Mishra, additional district magistrate, Rourkela in the presence of Niranjan Mallick, regional officer, SPCB-Rourkela, Ramakant Nayak, sub-collector, Bonai, Basudev Naik, tahasildar- Koira, Vimsen Choudhry, the local MLA, Janardan Dehuri, former MLA, the respective sarapanchs, ward members and block members.