Locals oppose establishment of steel plant in Gurla mandal of Vizianagaram

More than 5,000 people living in several villages of Gurla mandal of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh are agitating against the establishment of green field steel plant in their vicinity. The protests are the order of the day in those villages as well as in Vizianagaram.

The State Government has recently allocated 1,085 acres of land to Super Smelters Limited in Kella village for the establishment of a green field steel plant with an estimated cost of ₹8,570 crore.

Super Smelter Steel Plant Vyatireka Porata Committee honorary president Buddharaju Rambabu, convener Meesala Prasad said livelihood of thousands of farmers would be in danger with the possible destruction of paddy fields after the establishment of the steel plant.

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Speaking to the media in Vizianagaram, Mr. Rambabu said the Government should choose barren lands for industries instead of disturbing the agriculture lands in Gurla mandal. He said the agitations would continue till the cancellation of the steel plant proposal in Gurla mandal. The officials said the government land was allocated and there would not be any problem for the villagers in future.