BALCO’s Unauthorized Rail Line Construction on CSEB Land Causes Public Outcry
Korba 10 July: Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) is currently embroiled in controversy due to the unauthorized construction of a new rail line at the BALCO checkpoint. The selected land for this construction is government-owned, including dense forests and property belonging to CSEB. Hundreds of trees have been cut down without obtaining necessary permissions from the relevant authorities, making this project illegal from the outset. A previous case involving the cutting of 86 trees remains unresolved with the forest department.
The total cost of this unauthorized rail line construction is ₹1,02,16,94,184 (one hundred and two crore sixteen lakh ninety-four thousand one hundred and eighty-four rupees), with the contract awarded to MBPL. The project is advancing rapidly, raising concerns about its impact on the local community and environment.
The main route from BALCO to Korba, which runs via BALCO Bus Stand through Parsabhata and the checkpoint gate, is heavily affected by this construction. The BALCO railway gate, essential for transporting coal, aluminum, alumina powder, and other materials, remains closed for extended periods, causing severe disruptions. School buses are delayed, office-goers are late to work, ambulances get stuck, and people miss their trains, leading to widespread inconvenience.
The ongoing illegal construction for BALCO’s smelter expansion project, which currently has a capacity of 5.75 LTPA, threatens to exacerbate these issues. There is a looming threat that the checkpoint gate could be permanently closed, completely blocking the main route from BALCO to Korba. This situation is reminiscent of the forcible seizure and closure of the route from Parsabhata to the ADM Building through Amar Singh Hotel, which was once a primary road to Korba.
Despite these significant developments, there was no mention of the rail line construction in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) draft or any other official documentation, including public hearings. This omission, coupled with the disregard for public grievances, has led to considerable controversy and public outcry.
The unauthorized construction has sparked outrage among local residents, who are facing unchecked environmental degradation and severe disruptions in their daily lives. This situation underscores the urgent need for regulatory oversight and accountability to prevent unapproved projects that harm the environment and public welfare.
Local residents are calling for immediate intervention from higher authorities to halt the construction, reassess the project’s environmental impact, and ensure that all necessary permissions and approvals are transparently obtained. They are also demanding stricter enforcement of environmental laws to protect the region’s natural resources and ensure that development projects do not come at the cost of public convenience and safety.
