Bantwal: AMR project causing damage to houses, complain locals

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Dec 4: The work on Shamboor's AMR – 2 mini electricity generating unit started by the company has reportedly created cracks on the walls of many houses in Narikombu and the villagers are living in anxiety.  A group of officials including Narikombu panchayat members had recently visited Shamboor power project site for inspection.  They found out that the company had started the work at the new aqueduct without obtaining NOC (no objection certificate) from the panchayat.  They had taken the company officials to task and made the company stop the work.

The villagers have now expressed anguish that the panchayat has given NOC and the work has resumed.  The company has started blasting large rocks in the area and the impact can be felt in the houses in the area.  The walls of the houses have developed cracks and the villagers protested against the company and the officials on last Friday and expressed their anguish.

Several house walls in Mudimugeru in Narikombu have developed cracks due to the explosions.  Houses belonging to Chennappa Gowda, Muthappa Poojary, Babu Sapalya, Rekha, Jinnappa, Padmanabha Poojary, Koti, Chennayya Poojary, Prakash, Vasudeva Bhandary, Shivarama Poojary, Dinesh Sapalya, Niranjan Gowda, Nonayya Gowda, Gopala Poojary, Jinnappa Sundara, Raghava, Dhooma Poojary, Sanjeeva Poojary Balehitlu, Monappa Poojary, Venkamma Nalike, Kamala Nalike, Gopi, Narayana Poojary, Janardhana Nalike, Gangamma, Lingappa Poojary, Sharada and others are damaged, it is said.

M Thungappa Bangera, member of state backward tribe commission has urged for compensation to the people whose houses are damaged by explosions by M M R at Perla and Greenco during the ongoing project work.

He said, "The locals have already protested against the loss.  I too have visited the place and confirm that the damage has occurred. The officials are only giving oral assurances and are trying to suppress their agitation."

"The company officials have once again obtained permission for the work after they induced the villagers by promising to repair damaged houses, provide drinking water facility and Rs 500 each for electrical bills payment during a meeting in the evening after the protests," he added.
 
Bangera alleged that the company has cheated the villagers in the past by their false promises.  He urged that the company pay suitable compensation to the villagers and provide drinking water facilities to both the affected gramas.