Jajpur: Former minister urges CM Majhi to order probe into alleged illegal chromite mining in Sukinda Valley
By Akshya Rout
Jajpur, July 22: Former Odisha minister Pritiranjan Gharai has appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene in the alleged illegal and unregulated chromite mining activities in the Sukinda Valley, alleging that indiscriminate blasting and environmental pollution have endangered the lives, health and livelihoods of hundreds of tribal families.
In a representation to the Chief Minister, Gharai alleged that mining operations at the Kamarda and Saruabil chromite mines, located near Hatihudi and Kamarda Mundasahi villages under Kansa gram panchayat in Sukinda block, have caused widespread hardship for local residents.
He claimed that continuous and uncontrolled blasting in the mining belt has left many houses with deep cracks, rendering several structures unsafe for habitation. According to him, affected families are living under constant fear as their homes have become increasingly vulnerable to collapse.
The former minister further alleged that chromite-laden wastewater discharged from mine dumping yards is contaminating nearby agricultural fields, ponds and natural water channels. The pollution, he said, has reduced soil fertility, damaged crops and severely affected local water sources.
“The deteriorating environmental conditions have also taken a toll on public health, with residents reportedly suffering from skin ailments, respiratory illnesses, kidney-related diseases and other serious health complications,” Gharai said in the letter.
He alleged that the mining companies have failed to fulfil their statutory obligations relating to environmental protection, pollution control and the safety of people living in the vicinity of the mines.
Despite repeated complaints by villagers and public representatives, the district administration and mining authorities have failed to take effective remedial measures, he alleged.
Seeking the Chief Minister’s intervention, Gharai demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities and called for immediate steps to stop indiscriminate blasting and control pollution in the chromite mining region.
He also urged the government to provide adequate compensation to families whose houses, agricultural lands and livelihoods have allegedly been affected by the mining operations.
Emphasising the need to protect the interests of the tribal population, Gharai appealed to the state government to take concrete measures to safeguard their lives, health, livelihoods and the fragile ecology of the Sukinda chromite valley.
Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to the Chairman of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS), and the heads of Tata Steel’s Kamarda and Saruabil mines, seeking appropriate action.
There was no immediate response from the mining companies or the authorities concerned to the allegations made in the representation.
Photograph: File photographs of the Sukinda chromite mining area in Odisha (left) and former Odisha minister Pritiranjan Gharai (right).
