Tribals demand basic facilities

Kothagudem: The heavy water plant located in Aswapuram mandal in Bharadri-Kothagudem district, said to be the biggest in Asia, is playing havoc with the lives of tribals in the agency areas.

As it works on hydrogen sulphide and other related gases, odour of spoiled egg is generated. If there is a gas leak both humans and animals are likely to suffer malfunction of lungs, leading to their death.

There are 25 habitations in Ammagaripalli, Mittagudem, Jaggaram and Amertha Gram Panchayats, with predominant girijan population around the plant. No minimum facilities like drinking water have been provided. The residents of the sterilite zone suffer on account of acute water shortage. The people resent that the officials lack concern for them even on humanitarian grounds.

The residents have expressed serious concern over the indifference of the plant officials to the Centre. They appealed to the government to at least now provide the basic facilities.

People under the plant have suffered loss of their lands running into hundreds of acres after the government adopted several villages in the three gram panchayats. Those who lost lands and found eligible among the affected persons have been offered packages and jobs.

“But the obligation of providing basic facilities like drinking water, roads, education, health for the residents of the sterilite zone has been ignored, with the plant not spending funds for the development of villages,” Durga Rao, Mittagudem Sarpanch told The Hans India.