Officials directed to submit detailed report after surveying the damage caused to environment by rail projects and coal blocks, and adverse affects of the same on people
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that welfare of people of the state is the top priority of Chhattisgarh Government. In the meeting held at residence office of Chief Minister today, Chief Minister was reviewing the rail projects and facilities for passengers in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister took information from the officials concerned about how these railway projects would benefit the state and what facilities these projects would provide for passengers. He also asked about the employment that would be generated under these projects.
In the meeting, officials gave presentation on various railway projects proposed in Chhattisgarh. Officials informed during the presentation that these railway projects have been initiated mainly for transportation of coal, and the state would receive coal royalty for the same.
From the coal blocks that are being developed in state, coal would be supplied to states such as Gujarat, Hariyana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. On which, Chief Minister said that the industries in Chhattisgarh are not receiving sufficient supply of coal, because of which many industries had to shut down. If coal from state would be used to fuel industries in other states, then it is possibe that in future, we might end up having to buy our own coal. Chief Minister said that the coal mine is situated in dense forest, and development of the coal block would cost us our valuable forest resources. Coal mines and railway project would also lead to displacement of people. Major damage would be caused to the environment. And royalty that is expected from the project would not be able to compensate for the major damage caused. He gave instructions to the officials to survey the damage that can be caused because of development of coal block and railway projects, and also the adverse effects of the same on common people, employment opportunities and advantages of the same for Chhattisgarh and public in general. Chief Minister has directed the officials to submit the report within 15 days and organize a meeting after setting agenda.
In the meeting, presentation on east railway corridor, east-west railway corridor, Dallirajhara-Raoghat Raiway Project, Dongargarh-Khairagarh-Kawardha-Mungeli-Takhatpur-Ratanpur-Beltara-Katghora railway line and Kharsiya-Naya Raipur-Durg Railway Project was given. Agriculture and Water Resource Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey, Housing and Environment Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, Revenue and Calamity Management Minister Mr. Jaisingh Agrawal, Chief Secretary Mr. Sunil Kujur, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Amitabh Jain, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi and officials of CSIDC, Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Limited and other concerned departments were also present.
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