Khammam, March 30: Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), General Manager (exploration), Y.S. Babu Rao, has allayed the apprehensions expressed by the ‘Anti-Opencast Projects Committee’ that the ongoing exploration work at Mamakannu block near Koyagudem dip side block in Gundala mandal would pave way for setting up of an opencast project in the near future. Addressing a press conference in Kothagudem on Tuesday, Mr. Rao said that the ongoing exploration work was only aimed at proving the coal deposit reserves with a futuristic perspective.
“The Mamakannu site is not viable for setting up of an OCP due to its unfeasible geographical conditions and its location in the buffer zone of Pakala and Kinnerasani wildlife sanctuaries,” he said. Referring to the alleged removal of the temporary camps set up by the workers of the exploration wing at Mamakannu by the members of the ‘Struggle committee against OCPs’, he said that it was unfair on their part to drive away the hapless workers who are only camping there to discharge their designated duty and eke out a living. “There is no need for any apprehensions about the work as it is related to identifying the coal reserves and nothing to do with setting up of OCPs,” he said ruling out the possibility of establishment of an OCP at Mamakannu site.
–Agencies