Tensions rise in Ramannapet over proposed Adani Ambuja cement factory
The residents warned that they would not tolerate any actions that threaten their livelihood and environment. They made it clear that they would oppose the construction of the factory under any circumstances
Hyderabad: Tensions escalated in Ramannapet of Yadadri-Bhongir district on Wednesday, as locals protested against the proposed Adani Ambuja Cement Factory The public hearing organized on Wednesday to discuss the factory’s construction was met with strong opposition, as residents blocked the proceedings, waving placards and black flags in protest. Clashes between the police and the protestors were also witnessed.
Environmental activists brought in from other areas to speak in favour of the factory were chased away by the locals. The residents warned that they would not tolerate any actions that threaten their livelihood and environment. They made it clear that they would oppose the construction of the factory under any circumstances. In all 17 persons, mostly farmers from the affected villages and elected representative, whose opinion was recorded as part of the exercise, strongly opposed the establishment of the cement factory. They made it clear that the establishment of the cement factory would turn every village in the vicinity into a pollution hotspot. The factory would not be allowed at any cost, they stressed.The BRS also expressed strong opposition to the factory, declaring that they would prevent its construction at all costs. In response, the police took several BRS representatives into preventive custody. Former MLA Kancherla Bhupal Reddy was placed under house arrest in Nalgonda, while former MLA Chirumarthi Lingaiah was detained in Nakrekal. Other former MLAs, including Gadari Kishore and Ravindra Kumar Naik, were also placed under house arrest.
The Adani Group had purchased land from farmers in Ramannapet and Kommaigudem for the establishment of a logistics park and dry port. However, with the group now planning to construct a cement factory on 65.5 acres at a cost of Rs.1,400 crore, the move sparked outrage among the local populace. The standalone cement grinding unit is proposed to produce 6.0 MTPA annually.People from 10 villages presented the resolutions adopted by them by organizing grama sabhas, opposing the factory. They demanded the government and Adani withdraw the plans for the factory to protect their community from pollution and disruption.
No water, no raw material, why the cement factory here?
Nalgonda: The ongoing protests against the proposed Adani Ambuja cement factory has garnered overwhelming support from various political leaders and environmental activists, who are united in their opposition to the factory.
Addressing a news conference, BRS district president Ramavath Ravindra Kumar questioned the rationale behind granting permission for the cement factory in Ramannapet. He criticized the authorities for detaining BRS leaders and preventing them from attending the public hearing. “We are ready to fight for the people. The establishment of the cement factory will turn the green fields of Ramannapet into a pollution hotspot. We will not allow this factory under any circumstances,” he declared.Former MLA Chirumarthi Lingaiah condemned the police action, stating, “It is shameful that our leaders are being prevented from attending the public hearing. Even I, who am part of the protocol, was stopped. Is this democracy?” MLC M.C. Kotireddy added, “There is no raw material or water here. What is the point of a cement factory? There is a conspiracy behind this. The agenda could be something else,” he feared.
The BRS leaders also called out district minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy for their silence on the issue. “You spoke extensively about Musi pollution, but now you are silent on the cement factory in Ramannapet. If you care about the people, you should immediately cancel the permissions granted to Ambuja Cement Factory,” said former MLA Kancherla Bhupal Reddy.
