UltraTech Chhattisgarh mine plan hits hurdle

The government of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh has cancelled a no objection certificate (NoC) to UltraTech Cement for a limestone mine in Raipur district.

The state government on Tuesday announced it would cancel the certificate required by the cement producer to commission the operation. The mine is interlinked with the company’s integrated cement plant, located in the neighbouring Balodabazar district.

The department had granted the conditional NoC on 5 January 2009. The 1700-acre mine is spread spans the Murra, Mohrenga and Math villages.

A reservoir, constructed in 1904, falls in the mining area. Brijmohan Agrawal, Chhattisgarh Minister for Water Resources, admitted in the House that the catchment area of the reservoir would be severely affected and in turn would also hamper the irrigation in the area. A fresh survey will be conducted to examine the issues raised by the members, Mr Agrawal said.