Berhampur: The explosive unit of Maharastra`s Nagpur based CDET Pvt ltd proposed to comeup in Jaganathprasad block in Ganjam district received a jolt due to stiff protest by the people in the area.The people in the are has formed `Ghatipalli and Gochabadi bhumi surakhya samiti`to poose the proposed unit.Speaking to newsmen,the leaders including Bhalachandra sadangi,Prafulla samantara,Pradip nayak,Khadal sahu,Laxmikanta samantara etc came on heavily on the govt for according permission for the unit.The unit,to prepare geletine and other explosive materials used in blasting hills would geoparadise the life of the people and also destroy the environment of the area.They said the people in 70 villages under 8 panchayats in the block would be affected badly,they alleged.They alleged,when the explosive act-2008 clearly says no locality should be there within a radius of 10 km of explosive unit.But the unit proposed at Ghatipali,has dense populated villages at its sorroundings.As such the area known as water-scarce and its groundwater level is depleting.In such a situation,the unit if come up will draw the ground water which will aggravte the scarcity.Moreover,chances of explosion in the unit is there,which will affect the localities.Since the proposed unit has posed danger,the people in the area has decided not to allow the unit,rather demanded for a agro based industry,if the govt wants,said the leaders.They said,the unit would use Amonium nitrate as its raw material and after production of explosive materials,the wastes and the water and smoke released will pollute the environment.As a result of which not the cultivable lands will lost its fertility,the people in the area would suffer from various air borne diseases.Describing the proposed unit as humen killer,the leaders said,a report was prepared on social impect of the unit,which concealed many informations and gave a favourable report for the unit.Justifying their claim they said for the proposed unit,a land measuring 196.988 acres of private land belongs to Ghatipali and Landeihill has been earmarked.As many 141 families would be evicted for the proposed unit.However the social impect report stated that survery of 75 families couldnot be done as the families either died or living in unknown places.The leaders described the report baseless and claimed the said families still living in the area.The people in the area has already realised the grave situation and decided not to allow the unit.Following the stiff protest the public hearing which was fixed on 4/3/2025 by pollution board and district administration has been cancelled.A letter by Jaganathprasad tehsil stated that due to unavoidable reason,the public hearing was cancelled.When contacted Ganjam collector Dibyajyoti parida said after thorough verification the site has been selected for the explosive unit and it will play an important role for economic development in the area,besides paved way for direct and indirect employment oppertunity for the people.Parida said the people of the area also supporting the coming up of the unit and so far no opposition to the unit not reached the aadministration.
