Eight Jhajjar villages oppose ethanol plant

The proposed 150 KLD grain-based ethanol distillery plant at Goria village in Jhajjar has triggered strong opposition from residents of eight surrounding villages, who claim the project would have serious environmental consequences.

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They argue it would degrade soil health, threaten agricultural livelihoods and increase pollution in the region. Demanding immediate cancellation of the project, the villagers are preparing to intensify their protest.

In a show of unity and resistance, a panchayat was held in Goria on Thursday to discuss the matter in detail. Following the deliberations, a 20-member committee was formed with representatives from all eight villages to chart the next course of action.

The committee has been tasked with taking a timely decision on how to escalate the protest if their demands are not met.

“We had earlier met district officials to express our concerns, but our grievances were ignored. As a result, we convened a panchayat involving eight villages to determine our collective response. The ethanol plant will pose a serious threat to the region’s fertile agricultural land and overall rural livelihood,” said a protester.

Ajit Singh, Sarpanch of Goria village, told The Tribune that the panchayat lasted four hours and saw active participation from residents of Goria, Bhadangi, Koharad, Mumtazpur, Lilodh, Khanpur and surrounding areas. “Given the seriousness of the issue, a significant number of women also took part in the panchayat,” he added.

At the panchayat, villagers claim the land was originally acquired without any mention of setting up a chemical plant. They suspect the land use was later altered without proper public consent.

Meanwhile, the district administration authorities have denied the charges stating that a public hearing was conducted for environmental clearance of the project on May 20.

“Besides district officials, 138 persons from Goria, Bambulia, Bazidpur Thappa, Birohar, Belochpura, Bhindawas and other nearby villages attended the hearing at the site. During public hearing, it was observed that participants from nearby villages were satisfied with the answer given by the representatives of the project proponent regarding questions raised by the participants,” said a press release provided by Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner SR Patil.