The residents of Barobaga and Alupada villages in Odisha’s Sundargarh district have once again raised their voices against the environmental pollution allegedly caused by the NTPC Super Thermal Power Project’s ash pond at Darlipali. This marks the fourth time that villagers have gathered at the district collectorate to demand immediate action against the deteriorating environmental conditions affecting their livelihoods.
🔴 Why Are Residents Protesting?
The protest, led by youth leader Himanshu Sekhar Sarangi, saw hundreds of villagers—including a significant number of women—expressing their concerns over the harmful impact of NTPC’s ash pond.
Key Allegations Against NTPC:
- Land Acquisition Issues: Villagers claim that 70% of their land in Lephripara Tehsil has been acquired by NTPC without proper compensation or relocation plans.
- Severe Environmental Pollution: The ash pond is said to be causing extensive air, water, and soil pollution, affecting agriculture and natural resources.
- Health Hazards: Residents report a rise in respiratory illnesses, heart conditions, kidney diseases, and other health problems due to the pollution.
- Safety Concerns: The increase in heavy vehicle traffic due to the power plant has led to several accidents in the area.
Villagers have raised concerns over the 400-acre ash pond’s close proximity to their homes, questioning why it was established without relocation plans for the affected communities.
🌍 Impact on Local Communities
The presence of coal ash ponds near residential areas poses serious risks to air and water quality, affecting daily life and livelihoods:
- 🔹 Air Pollution: Fine ash particles are reportedly contaminating the air, leading to breathing difficulties.
- 🔹 Water Contamination: Locals fear that toxins from the ash pond could seep into groundwater sources, impacting drinking water supplies.
- 🔹 Agricultural Decline: Farmers allege that their crops and soil fertility have been damaged due to ash deposition.
- 🔹 Livelihood Disruptions: Loss of fertile land and increasing health problems have severely impacted the economic well-being of the villagers.
⚖️ Government Intervention & Previous Appeals
The issue has reached the Central Government, which termed NTPC’s actions as “anti-people” practices. As a result, a Central Government team visited Darlipali for an on-ground assessment.
However, villagers claim that despite multiple protests and complaints, no concrete action has been taken by the authorities to resolve the crisis.
📢 Calls for Immediate Action
The protestors are demanding the following key actions:
- ✔️ Relocation & Rehabilitation of affected families living near the ash pond.
- ✔️ Immediate Government Intervention to enforce stricter pollution control measures at NTPC’s plant.
- ✔️ Compensation for Environmental Damage and agricultural losses.
- ✔️ Strict Compliance with Environmental Regulations to prevent further harm to local communities.
Just a month ago, villagers had protested outside the Sambalpur RDC Office, yet they claim that no concrete action has been taken so far.
⏳ What Happens Next?
The villagers of Sundargarh remain determined in their fight against industrial pollution and corporate negligence. With rising health concerns and ongoing environmental degradation, they continue to seek justice and accountability from NTPC and government officials.
The question remains: Will the authorities take immediate action to protect the lives and livelihoods of these affected communities?