Ullipittadorli (Kumarambheem Asifabad): Adivasis living around the Dorli-I and Dorli-II open cast coal mines in Kumarambheem Asifabad district are having to drink water poisoned by the coal dust, thanks to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited’s (SCCL) practice of disposing of the excavated coal dust, called ‘overburden’ in industry jargon, in the open around the mines. The overburden also pollutes the air around the mines.
The SCCL removes the coal dust or soil while mining coal and dumps it in the open. The piled up coal dust flows into the water bodies and seeps into the ground water as well during rains. The local people and cattle are falling prey to many health problems, including skin diseases, and cattle have even died.
The SCCL had promised to set up drinking water tanks as part of efforts to rehabilitate the Adivasi communities, but that hasn’t helped much.
Mr Kotnaka Bapurao of Bapuraoguda in Asifabad mandal said the coal dust has polluted the ground water and drinking water bodies and has caused health problems to these populations. The coal dust is also flowing into the Vattivagu irrigation project and killing the fish and cattle. All the local rivulets and streams have been polluted, he added.
Ms Atram Surekha of Vullipittadorli said it was unfortunate that Singareni has failed to supply potable drinking water as it had promised. The water tanks and drinking water supply promised have not been fulfilled. Residents of SC Guda and Kolamguda of Vullipittadorli in Tirynai mandal and Vattivagu colonies and Dorli colony (rehabilitation colony) in Asifabad mandal are the biggest sufferers as a big coal ash hillock has come up close to the village. Villagers have also complained of snakes from the Vattivagu project area entering into their villages.
