Ponda | Jul 21, 2016: Upholding the order of the directorate of mines and geology (DMG), Dharbandora, deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate Agnelo Fernandes issued orders to stop Vedanta's ore transportation in his jurisdiction. The transportation of ore by roads in the monsoon was opposed by the villagers of Dharbandora and Dabal.

The sub-divisional officer has claimed in his order, issued late Wednesday afternoon, that he has to ensure safety of the villagers. Every year, a ban is imposed on surface transport of mining ore as the slurry from moving trucks drips onto the roads, causing slippery conditions in the monsoon that could result in vehicular accidents. The DMG had banned ore transport by an order issued on June 27. Three days later, on July 1, it issued another order to relax its earlier one for mining major, Vedanta.

Following the order, Vedanta started transportation on July 14, but Dharbandora locals stopped the truck carrying ore to Sesa'spig iron plant at Amona. This led to a tense situation in the area and the deputy collector had convened a meeting at his office on Monday to resolve the issue.

The Dharbandora and Dabal villages were firm on their opposition to mining transport in the rainy season. Dharbandora villagers had even threatened to come onto the roads if transportation resumed during the rainy season.

As the meeting remained inconclusive, the deputy collector sought written statements from locals and the mining company.

Vedanta was asked about the security measures taken by it to ensure safety of people using the same road if mining transport was allowed. The order, however, revealed that there were no systems in place.

Deputy collector Fernandes in his capacity as SDM, thereafter stopped mining transportation in Dharbandora until further orders.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)