In a setback to the proposed Mahaguj (a joint venture between Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd and Gujarat State Electricity Corporation) coal mining project at Chhendipada in Angul district, locals disrupted the public hearing held on Thursday.
Ahmedabad-based Adani Group's flagship company Adani Enterprises has won rights to develop and operate this coal block in Orissa. The firm had lined up an investment of around Rs 2500 crore for developing the coal block with an annual capacity of 40 million tonne per annum and also for setting up a coal washery.
Project affected people of nine villages set fire to the venue, besides assaulting the local MLA Khageswar Behera who was present at the public hearing. Behera, however, denied being manhandled by the agitating locals, maintaining that he opposed the project.
A news reporter also sustained serious injuries as the irate mob broke loose during the conduct of public hearing. The angry mob staged a blockade on the Chhendipada road, demanding cancellation of the coal mine project on environmental grounds. Locals said they did not want to be displaced by the project.
