Villagers press for early start of Mahagenco coal project

 

 

 

Hundreds of residents from villages in Chhattisgarh’s Tamnar block converged at the Raigarh district headquarters on Wednesday, demanding the immediate commencement of operations at the Gare Pelma Sector-II coal block allotted to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (Mahagenco). The villagers, representing multiple affected hamlets, met the Raigarh Collector and Superintendent of Police, handing over a memorandum while voicing deep concern over the prolonged delay. Residents from Dholnara, Saraitola, Bhalumara, Kunjimura, Mudagaon, Chitwah, Dolesara, and Pata said that while surveys had been carried out years ago, neither the process of land acquisition nor compensation had begun.

 

They stressed that their livelihoods remain in limbo, with the promise of jobs, rehabilitation, and development still unfulfilled. In their memorandum, the villagers urged the administration to expedite the mine’s commissioning so that land acquisition, compensation, and resettlement could move forward. They also sought priority employment for local youth in Mahagenco, provision of quality education, women’s empowerment schemes, improved healthcare facilities, and basic civic amenities. During discussions with the Collector, villagers from Dholnara and Dolesara pressed for uniform compensation for all affected families under the same project. The Collector assured them that all payments would be made strictly as per prevailing legal provisions.

 

On the employment front, he advised eligible villagers to apply for positions, promising coordination with the concerned departments. A dedicated hospital for the affected area was requested. The delegation alleged that external political groups and non-governmental organisations were deliberately spreading misinformation to stall the project, which they said was adversely impacting prospects for local development and livelihoods. Appealing directly to the government and district administration, the villagers said that with the project already declared and surveys completed, there should be no further delay. They insisted on a transparent acquisition process, time-bound compensation, and creation of sustainable employment opportunities for the local population.