Adani Group’s Ambuja Cements expansion plans face stiff opposition in Nalgonda

Ambuja Cements aims to increase its production capacity to 140 million tonnes by 2027-28, and as part of, the company plans to expand the limestone mines at Adani Ambuja Cement factory in Sunnampahad area of erstwhile Nalgonda district

Hyderabad/ Nalgonda: The expansion plans of Ambuja Cements, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, are facing stiff opposition in the erstwhile Nalgonda district. Several rural clusters in the region have already been bearing the brunt of pollution caused by the flourishing cement factories.

Ambuja Cements aims to increase its production capacity to 140 million tonnes by 2027-28 in the country. As part of this move, the company sought to expand the limestone mines at the Adani Ambuja Cement Factory located in the Sunnampahad area. The Pollution Control Board scheduled a public hearing on Saturday to gather public opinion on the proposed expansion.

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The hearing triggered widespread protests, with people staging demonstrations in the area. Local residents from nearby villages strongly opposed the expansion, expressing their grievances. Farmers lamented that their crops are already affected by dust and ash emanating from the existing factory operations.

They feared that further expansion of limestone mines would add to the pollution problem. It will impact the agricultural operations and livelihoods.

In October 2024, widespread protests were witnessed in the Ramannapet area of the Yadadri-Bhongir district, against new units proposed by the group. Farmers and weavers were deeply concerned about the potential environmental and social impacts of the factory. The protests gained momentum, with residents fearing that the factory would turn their villages into pollution hotspots, severely affecting their livelihoods.

The weaver and sheep-rearing communities also joined the protests. The public hearing held on October 23, 2024, saw strong opposition, with clashes between the police and protestors. Environmental activists and political leaders also backed the protests, demanding the withdrawal of the factory plans.