DC visits ISPRL site following complaints

The unit has been reportedly creating problems to the villagers, said Zilla Panchayat Member Arun Shetty in a complaint to the DC.

The villagers who had gathered in large number said “with the commencement of the unit, there was no proper road from Majoor to Shirva. Hence, alternative road should be laid.”

They said locals should be informed on acquiring additional land for the unit and compensation should be paid according to the prevailing value of the land. The locals should be given intimation on blasting of rock in the unit. The displaced families should be given employment and the unit should give priority to cleanliness in and around the region, they said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju said the comapny should solve the problems faced by the villagers and the priority must be given to the basic facilities. “The contractors and the company should see that the labourers do not pose any problems to the villagers.”

Company official Veerabhadrappa said that measure will be taken to provide alternative road on Shirva-Shanthigudde-Majoor. The road will be completed by May end. The locals will be intimated while blasting the rock,” he said and added that the company would try its level best to solve the problem faced by the villagers and would provide employment to the displaced on priority basis.

The DC also visited the project site and labourers’ colony on the occasion.  When he visited SC colony which is situated near the unit, the colony residents alleged that the water has been contaminted in the region.

The villagers also urged the DC to preserve Nagabana at Barakadi. The land has been identified for the project unit. To which, the DC directed the unit officials to preserve Nagabana and convert it into a green belt.

The villagers said that the survey on the Padur -Thokur pipeline was unscientific. With the pipeline, several agriculture land and houses will be damaged. Hence, the pipeline route should be changed. To which, Veerabhandrappa said that the survey work has been suspended and directed to carry out resurvey.

He said the work on the first unit must be completed by December, 2012. “We do not have direction on the second unit,” he said. Zilla Panchayat President Shankar Poojary, Taluk Panchayat President Devadas Hebbar and others were present.