Villagers Block Netarhat Road in Protest Against Hindalco Over Mining-Related Issues

Residents of dozens of villages affected by bauxite mining staged a protest against Hindalco Industries, blocking the Ghaghra-Netarhat main road between Itkiri and Devaki villages. The protesters stopped the movement of trucks carrying bauxite but kept the road open for ordinary commuters.

The villagers raised slogans against the company and the local administration, alleging that Hindalco was extracting bauxite and earning profits from the mining-affected areas while failing to provide basic facilities to local communities.

One of their major complaints was the poor condition of the road from Itkiri to Serengdag. According to the villagers, the road has developed large potholes at several places and becomes extremely muddy during the monsoon, making transportation difficult.

The villagers said the deteriorating road has created serious problems for patients and pregnant women who need to be taken to hospitals or the district headquarters. They alleged that vehicle drivers often avoid the route because of its poor condition, resulting in significant delays in transporting patients. The protesters further claimed that several people had lost their lives because they could not receive timely medical treatment.

The villagers also raised concerns over the lack of drinking water, healthcare facilities and other basic amenities in the mining areas.

Another issue raised during the protest was the alleged removal of workers in Kunjam Pat. The villagers claimed that several land-owning workers had received notices stating that bauxite reserves had been exhausted on their land and that they could be removed from their jobs. They termed the move unfair and demanded that the company reconsider its decision.

The protesters warned that the road blockade and sit-in would continue until concrete steps were taken to address their demands. They also decided to set up tents along the roadside and continue their agitation.

Police had reached the protest site by the time of filing the report and were trying to persuade the protesters to lift the blockade. However, the protestors had not agreed to withdraw the blockade.

Residents from Serengdag, Tuimu, Chiropat, Nindi, Badhakechki, Jalim, Perwapaat, Painpaat, Shahid and several other villages were present at the protest site.

The protest highlights growing concerns among communities living in mining-affected areas over road connectivity, healthcare, basic amenities and employment linked to mining operations.