Residents of villages neighboring the Open Cast Projects (OCP) of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Peddapalli district, particularly Kannala and nearby villages in Manthani mandal, are grappling with significant challenges. The ongoing issue involves the flooding of farm fields with slush from the SCCL's mining operations, severely impacting local agriculture.
Farmers in Kannala village alone have reported slush accumulating across 50 acres of paddy fields, causing substantial losses at the crucial early stages of cultivation. This slush, formed during the excavation of coal from OCPs, is usually separated from coal deposits near the boundaries of the mining areas. However, during the rainy season, these mounds dissolve and flood into surrounding villages and agricultural lands, disrupting farming activities.
G Gattaiah, a distressed farmer, highlighted that despite repeated appeals to SCCL authorities, adequate measures have not been implemented to address the issue. The farmers estimate losses amounting to Rs 40,000 per acre due to the slush inundation.
In response to their plight, the farmers are demanding compensation from SCCL management and urging authorities to find alternative methods to divert slush flow away from their fields and downstream areas. They have issued a warning that if prompt action is not taken, they will consider blocking SCCL transport vehicles until their grievances are addressed and appropriate measures are taken to mitigate the impact on local agriculture.