Korba, Chhattisgarh – Serious allegations have surfaced regarding the smelter expansion project at the Bharat Aluminium Plant in Balco Nagar, Korba. Despite receiving environmental clearance for its 5.1 lakh tons per annum (LTPA) capacity project on April 22, 2022, Balco management, former project head Manish Jain, and former CEO Abhijit Pati initiated construction before this approval.
Unauthorized Construction and Land Encroachment:
Contracts for the project were given to the government-run Bridge and Roof Company for construction and to KEC International for the green anode plant. Although Bridge and Roof Company withdrew from the illegal activities in 2023, KEC International continues to operate. The expansion has exceeded the proposed plant area, clearing hundreds of acres of forest land without authorization.
Recurring Safety Hazards:
The expansion project at the Balco plant raises significant safety concerns. A previous chimney accident at the plant had resulted in numerous fatalities. The current project involves extensive use of large cranes and high-altitude work, posing a continual risk of similar disasters. Accountability for any potential accidents remains unclear.
Proliferation of Illegal Batching Plants:
Environmental clearance conditions explicitly stated that no work would be conducted outside the plant premises. Nevertheless, Balco management, along with contractors KEC International, ACC India, and L&T, have illegally occupied multiple acres of government land belonging to CSEB, setting up unauthorized cement batching plants. Although the Korba Municipal Corporation initially sealed these illegal plants, the seals were mysteriously removed.
**Rampant Illegal Sand Mining and Supply:**
Illegal sand mining, storage, and transport from Korba and neighboring districts are supplying significant quantities of sand to the batching plants of ACC India, KEC International, and L&T. This illegal activity is causing substantial revenue losses to the Chhattisgarh government. Daily, hundreds of trucks are involved in illicit sand extraction from rivers and streams.
Calls for Investigation and Action:
The gravity of these allegations necessitates a thorough investigation and decisive action by the district administration and relevant government bodies. Local representatives and officials must actively ensure compliance with environmental and legal regulations.
