De-watering work starts at Vedanta’s Ash pond: Jharsuguda Dist. Collector

Jharsuguda:� De-watering of water from Lagoon – 3 of Vedanta’s Ash pond situated at near Katikela Village has started from Sunday morning to ensure the stability of the normal Ash pond operation.

This is as per the tripartite meeting held on Saturday evening involving the Company officials, Villagers and Dist. Administration. The repair and renovation work to start soon as reported.

On the issue of displacement, the collector said that it is agreed to be recommended to Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory (RPDAC) for the consideration of the government as per the laid down norms on resettlement and rehabilitation of Katikela Village.

Talking to Jharsuguda Dist. Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnaik on Monday, on the issue of Vedanta’s� approach towards mitigating the crisis he mentioned that the company has shown positive intent to resolve the issue and has sought third party expert consultation to identify the reasons and to ensure corrective measures to strengthening its ash pond operations.

The lagoon-2 of Vedanta Ash pond at Katikela breached on 28th August resulting in spillage of ash on the adjoining lands, following which the villagers had protested and demanded displacement of the village.

Reportedly majority of land belongs to the company, however, some private agricultural land of the villagers is also impacted as claimed by the villagers. The company has assured due compensation to any private landed property impacted by the breach. No loss of life and residential property is reported from the site.