Lloyds Metals pollution ruins farms in Chandrapur, farmers threaten Mumbai self-immolation
Chemical pollution from Lloyds Metals' iron project has destroyed farmland near Chandrapur, and affected farmers say they will self-immolate in Mumbai on September 25.
The situation in the Ghugus area of Chandrapur has turned serious. Hazardous chemicals released from the iron project of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited have completely ruined farmland in the Usgaon area. The Wardha river and the local Usgaon nullah have also been heavily polluted.
Angry farmers and an environmental organisation staged a protest by pouring contaminated water outside the office of the pollution control board. The iron project run by Messrs Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited at MIDC Ghugus is causing large-scale release of hazardous gas, chemical solid waste and polluted water, ruining hundreds of acres of fertile farmland in the Usgaon and Ghugus areas. The Wardha river and the Usgaon nullah have been badly contaminated by the chemicals. Rajesh Bele, president of the Sanjeevani Paryavaran Samajik Sanstha, along with local farmers, has expressed strong anger over this.
A detailed letter on the matter was sent on 16 September to the state chief minister, the environment minister and the Chandrapur district collector. The organisation also held a strong protest outside the Chandrapur regional office of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), pouring hazardous chemical waste and contaminated water discharged from the factory.
Rajesh Bele, founder-president of the Sanjeevani Paryavaran Samajik Sanstha, said in his letter that on 18 August the company had released a large quantity of toxic chemicals into the Usgaon nullah, rendering more than 100 acres of farmland completely barren. The letter also raised 10 serious issues, accusing the company of violating several regulations. These include illegal sale of ESP dust (Dolachar), deliberately keeping air pollution control equipment switched off during evening and night hours, disposing of and transporting ESP dust under cover of darkness, all pollution control systems being in a state of disrepair, discharging dirty water mixed with grease and coal directly into the nullah, and producing double the output permitted under the environmental clearance, causing a loss of crores of rupees in government revenue.
The organisation has also levelled serious allegations against Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officers in Chandrapur, accusing them of protecting the factory's conduct. It alleges that the officers concerned have large-scale financial dealings with the company, which is why no action is being taken against it. The letter has strongly demanded a high-level inquiry into officers Tanaji Yadav, Sushilkumar Rathod, Nandkishor Lomte and Swapnil Lingade, and their immediate suspension.
Farmers are demanding immediate strict legal action against the company and cancellation of its environmental clearance. They have warned that if the administration ignores the matter, affected farmers will carry out self-immolation outside the chief minister's residence, "Varsha" bungalow, in Mumbai on 25 September. The protest is to include Usgaon farmers Mohandas Dhonduji Rajurkar, Waman Bapuji Rajurkar, Bandu Dhonduji Rajurkar, Ramratan Bapuji Rajurkar, Sudhakar Malhari Thackeray and Nitesh Pandurang Thackeray. The letter warns that the administration will bear full responsibility for any situation that arises thereafter.
