Row erupts over BJD leader's stone quarry, locals demand closure for 'flouting norms' 

With the BJD losing its power after 25 years, cases of how its leaders were flouting the norms for their own benefit and how the administration had been a puppet in the then government’s hand are coming to the fore one after another.

In the latest, the black deeds of BJD leader Benudhar Pradhan, who is the vice chairman of Bhapur block in Nayagarh and whose wife is the chairperson of the same block have started surfacing. 

As per reports, Benudhar is the leaseholder of Nayagarh district’s biggest stone quarry operating from Kasia Hill. This quarry has become the bane of the existence of the residents of nearby Nimani Panchayat. 

Stone-loaded trucks are plying on the village road round the clock, creating massive air pollution. There are layers of dust on the roofs of the houses and farmlands. With the lands having lost their fertility and productivity, the farmers are at the receiving end. 

The incessant plying of heavy vehicles is also claiming lives. 

It seems there in none to listen to the plight of the villagers.

Meanwhile, the villagers are preparing for an agitation. 

Also Read: Posing as delivery boy, miscreant loots gold ornaments in Odisha

“They are mining our forest land illegally. If the administration doesn’t listen to our demands for the closure of the quarry, we will launch an agitation,” said Fakir Parida, a resident of Nimani Panchayat.    

The local residents alleged that a road to the quarry has been constructed illegally on the forest land and stones are being excavated more than the permissible limit. 

In 2017, the reserve forest of the Brutang Project was covered with trees. In 2024, a road was constructed to the quarry on the forest land. 
Citing it as a violation of norms, Nayagarh DFO Kshyama Sarangi had written letters to the Nayagarh district Collector, mining officer and PCCF on February 3. It was clearly mentioned in the letter that the investigation was carried out by the Nayagarh Forest Department and Bhapur tehsil and a case was also registered under the Indian Forest Act.   

Meanwhile, five months have passed since the case was registered, but no action has been taken. 

“As it was a case of the violation of the Indian Forest Act, we got a case registered and intimated to higher authorities. It is up to the district administration and the mining officer to take a decision in this regard,” said Nayagarh DFO Kshyama Sarangi. 

When contacted, district Collector Swadhadeb Singh said, “We will probe to find out how much excess excavation has been made.  After a field inquiry, we will take action.”