Koppal : JD(S) state core committee member CV Chandrashekar on Friday demanded the cancellation of the Sept 29 public hearing on a private steel company’s proposed expansion in Hosa Kanakapur village, as well as the rejection of its draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
The proposed expansion would increase alloy steel rolling production from 0.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 0.9 MTPA across 66.2 hectares. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Questioning the hearing venue, Chandrashekar said the company’s public notice named Hosa Kanakapur, but KSPCB officials later shifted it to Nandihalli in Karatagi taluk. Chandrashekar alleged the company’s existing unit violated environmental norms, including by obstructing a natural stream, and claimed the draft EIA failed to reflect ground realities. He also alleged irregularities in the environmental clearance process and accused officials of KSPCB’s Koppal regional office of favouring the company. He alleged the change violated procedure and was intended to prevent local residents and project opponents from participating. He also questioned the credentials of the consultancy that prepared the EIA, alleging it had faced serious charges and that Odisha High Court had made adverse observations about its competence. Seeking an SIT probe into the allegations, Chandrashekar questioned the silence of local elected representatives, including MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal and MP K Rajasekhar Hitnal, and two ministers. He urged the MLA and MP to attend the hearing and submit their objections in writing if it is held as scheduled. Download the TOI App.