Nagpur: Neri village in Kamptee taluka is in the throes of a critical pollution crisis posing a serious threat to people’s health and crops. Coal dust emissions from a nearby iron ore processing unit have turned once lush cotton fields into lifeless stretches coated in black soot. Repeated warnings, written complaints, and memorandums submitted by the gram panchayat have failed to see any action by authorities. Pushed to the brink, with livelihoods at stake and no relief in sight, frustrated villagers are now preparing to hit the streets, demanding urgent intervention by the administration.TOI visited the village on Wednesday and found that the crisis extends far beyond damaged crops. The factory, which resumed operations in November last year after remaining shut since 2008, has caused widespread contamination across the village. Fine coal particles have blanketed rooftops, open spaces, and the village’s primary water tank — raising serious concerns over drinking water safety and long-term health risks for residents.Farmers say the damage to cotton crops has been devastating. Once referred to as ‘white gold’, the cotton crop now lies coated with layers of black dust, making it unsuitable for sale. “Our entire season’s effort is being destroyed. The crop has lost its value,” said a distressed farmer and gram sabha member, Yogesh Zhod, during the visit. “The general rate we got for cotton was Rs 7,000 per quintal. However, last year’s yield did not get more than Rs 4,000,” he said.Villagers report an alarming rise in respiratory ailments, especially among children and the elderly. Sarpanch Sujata Patil, who has been actively pursuing the issue with authorities, said, “Pollution levels have increased significantly. Children are falling sick frequently, and even our drinking water is no longer safe,” she said. The village’s Hanuman temple, once a place of regular religious gatherings, has seen a sharp decline in visitors, Patil said and added: “The whole village used to have dinner sitting in the temple’s verandah. Now, even a simple visit leaves our shoes covered in the dust,” she said.Despite a formal complaint filed in 2025 by the gram panchayat, residents allege that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has failed to take effective action. With no visible improvement, villagers escalated the matter on Tuesday by approaching district collector Kumar Ashirwad. A memorandum was submitted, and officials have reportedly sought eight days to initiate corrective measures.Resident Roshan Daware pointed out that the Neri’s only water tank, which is also uncovered, is located adjacent to the factory’s boundary, making it highly vulnerable to contamination. Even more concerning is the proximity of Kanhan River, just 50 to 60 metres away, which serves as a crucial drinking water source for Mouda and several surrounding villages. “If pollutants enter the river, the impact will not be limited to Neri. It could affect thousands of people,” he warned. Daware raised concerns about its proximity to residential areas and a nearby zilla parishad school, calling it a serious violation of environmental safety norms.A senior official of the iron ore processing unit strongly denied the villagers’ allegations. The official told TOI that the plant operates in full compliance with environmental regulations and has cleared inspections conducted by authorities in the past. The official attributed the dust problem to heavy vehicular movement on a narrow road used by multiple industrial units in the area, including a brick kiln and a sand mining site. “With trucks from several facilities using the same road, some dust generation is inevitable,” the official said, dismissing claims that the factory is solely responsible.Unconvinced by these explanations, villagers have issued a stern warning. If immediate and concrete action is not taken, they plan to stage protests outside the factory premises. They have also indicated that the agitation could escalate into a prolonged sit-in lasting several days if their demands continue to be ignored.
