SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 15: Residents of Sindri have strongly opposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Fertiliser Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for dumping coal washery overburden (OB) in the Domgarh residential area.
The closed FCIL unit has entered into an MoU with SAIL to allow dumping of coal washery overburden (rejected coal waste) on about 70 acres of FCIL land in the Domgarh area of Sindri.
However, residents and employee bodies have raised serious objections, stating that the proposed dumping site is located in a densely populated residential zone.
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Residents Fear Health and Livelihood Crisis
Opposing the move, FCI VSS Employees Welfare Association president Sardar Seba Singh and general secretary Umashankar Singh stated that retired FCIL employees and residents have been residing in Domgarh for nearly 70 years.
They warned that dumping coal washery OB in the area would lead to serious health hazards, including respiratory problems, and severely affect the quality of life of residents.
“The livelihood of dependents of retired FCIL employees, local businessmen, and common citizens will be ruined if Domgarh is turned into a coal washery dumping ground. Around 30,000 to 35,000 people live in this area, and they may be forced to leave,” said the association leaders.
Demand for Alternative Land
In their representation to FCIL authorities, the association leaders urged that FCIL has vast additional land available in Sindri and should allocate an alternative location to SAIL for dumping coal washery OB, rather than using a residential area.
They appealed to the authorities to reconsider the MoU in the interest of public health, safety, and livelihood.
