Koraput: Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), in association with the Koraput district administration, conducted a public hearing on Thursday for proposed expansion of Kodingamali bauxite mine located along Koraput-Rayagada district border.The hearing was held at the Govt High School premises in Champi panchayat under Laxmipur block to seek public opinion on the proposal to increase the mine’s annual production capacity from 3.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 6 MTPA. The mining lease area spans 428 hectares across Koraput and Rayagada districts.Officials said around 1,800 people attended the hearing. While 41 persons recorded their views orally, 58 others submitted written representations outlining their concerns and demands.Residents from the project-affected villages extended conditional support to the expansion proposal but urged the authorities and the mining company to ensure that the benefits of development reach local communities. Among their key demands were the establishment of a super-speciality hospital, round-the-clock ambulance services in peripheral villages, an English-medium school, improved road connectivity, safe drinking water facilities in all villages, and at least 50 per cent reservation in employment for local youth among others.Villagers also called for measures to promote the tourism potential of the Kodingamali region.“The expansion project will have little meaning unless there is substantial investment in public welfare, essential infrastructure and employment opportunities for local youth,” said Bipin Kumar Mandinga, a resident of the area.Speaking at the hearing, Koraput Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board Dipesh Kumar Biswal said the exercise was a crucial component of the environmental clearance process.“The concerns, suggestions and recommendations put forth by local residents have been formally recorded and will be incorporated into the report to be submitted to the competent authorities for consideration,” Biswal said.Koraput Additional District Magistrate Naresh Chandra Sabar said the public hearing was conducted to ensure that local voices are taken into account before any decision is made on the expansion proposal.“All opinions, objections and suggestions received during the hearing will be compiled and forwarded to the State Government. Further action will be taken in accordance with the government’s decision and the prescribed statutory procedures,” Sabar said.The entire hearing was videographed as per norms, and written submissions from residents were also received and documented.To ensure the smooth conduct of the event, around 30 platoons of police personnel were deployed at and around the venue. The hearing concluded peacefully without any untoward incident.
