Koppal: Residents of Koppal and surrounding villages voiced their opinions— both for and against—at a public hearing Tuesday over the proposed expansion of a private steel company in Hosakanakapur village, Koppal taluk.
The company plans to expand the capacity of its alloy steel rolling facility from 0.7 million metric tonnes to 0.9 million metric tonnes. It already owns 106.9 hectares of land for the project. Residents reported that companies often fail to follow through on the objectives they declare after they are established. Others supported the expansion, saying they had lost their land and needed factories to sustain themselves. Two people who introduced themselves as environmentalists also suggested expanding the factory. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
They said they were already suffering from pollution and questioned how they could survive if the plant was expanded. Santosh Kanakapur, a local resident, said factory pollution has made people’s lives hell. He alleged that workers from North India are working in the area and said companies should instead establish factories there. He said a night visit to the area would reveal the situation. They said the expansion could provide jobs to hundreds of people. He said people depend entirely on agricultural land for their livelihood. The company is located between his two fields, he said, adding that severe dust and noise pollution, health problems and road blockages are among the issues they face.
Deputy commissioner Suresh B Itnal, also chairman of the public environment committee, chaired the meeting. The proceedings were videographed in full. They alleged that companies do not keep promises and use assurances of employment to create divisions among people. He demanded that no factory should be given permission. Though the issue concerns Koppal taluk, several people from Vijayanagara, Ballari and Kodagu districts attended and declared their support for the project. Most residents of Hosakanakapur village demanded that the factory be allowed to expand. However, Mahesh, from the same village, opposed the expansion under any circumstances. Senior environmental officer BS Muralidhar, environmental officer Anilkumar D Talageri and SP Sahil Bagla attended the meeting. Download the TOI App.