Agitation against proposed cement plant continues in Gujarat

Locals have further stepped up their agitation against the proposed Rs2,500-crore cement plant near Mahuva in Saurashtra region, following Gujarat government's green signal to the project.

"Local people and particularly farmers here are firm that they don't want a Nirma group's cement plant in the area. They feel that the State government has given a 'go ahead' to the project against their wish," BJP MLA Dr Kanubhai Kalsaria, who led the agitation and was yesterday detained along with more than 100 people, said.

Since last April, people have been protesting against the Gujarat government's decision to grant over 4,000-hectare lands to the Nirma industry for the cement plant having a capacity to produce one million tonne cement a year.

The land granted includes government wasteland, a waterbody spread over 100 hectares and grazing lands in the villages like Amlia, Gajarda, Delia and Dudheri, which are located on the coastal area of Mahuva block in Bhavnagar district.

According to locals, their sole source of livelihood is agriculture, which is being snatched away from them for developing a cement plant, which would require lands for limestone mining.

"I am a local MLA representing the people here. We held meetings, and a majority of the people have raised their voice against the cement plant," Kalsaria said.

Kalsaria also charged the government authorities of favouring the industrial house against the locals' wishes.

However, following the agitation launched by the people earlier, the State government had constituted a high-level committee headed by the State finance minister Vajubhai Vala to look into the matter.

Last week, the committee has submitted its report giving a 'go ahead' to the project.

As per the report, the project will provide employment to 9,500 people in the area where agriculture is the sole source of employment.

Moreover, availability of 800 million tonnes of limestone in Mahuva belt can support the cement plant. In view of the development of the Pipava port at Rajula, which will facilitate export of cement, the industrial growth of the region cannot be curbed, the committee held.

But the committee's decision has angered the locals who have intensified their non-violent protest.

"We don't want the plant here at any cost," said the MLA, adding that a huge rally of locals will be held in Mahuva next Sunday.