THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

HEMAGIR/SUNDARGARH, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

The proposed Meenakshi Coal Mine of Hindalco Industries Limited, part of the Aditya Birla Group, received strong support from local communities during a public hearing held at Kiripsira village in Hemagir Block on Friday. Villagers, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and members of the surrounding communities expressed optimism that the project would create employment and livelihood opportunities while driving socio-economic development and improving public infrastructure in the region.

The public hearing was conducted in the presence of Abhimanyu Majhi, ADM, Sundargarh; Tejaswini Behera, Sub-Collector; and Hiranya Kumar Nayak, Regional Officer, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Jharsuguda, along with other government officials and PRI representatives. The proceedings remained peaceful and orderly, with active participation from residents of the project-affected and surrounding areas.

Residents of Kiripsira, Garjanbahal and Bangurakela, among other nearby villages, voiced their support for the proposed coal mine, highlighting its potential to generate employment, strengthen local livelihoods and accelerate development in Sundargarh district.

Speaking at the hearing, Mukesh Kumar Jha, Head, Meenakshi Coal Mine, outlined the key features of the project. He said, “The proposed Meenakshi Coal Mine is located in the villages of Kiripsira, Garjanbahal and Bangurakela under Hemgir Tehsil of Sundargarh district in Odisha and forms part of the Ib Valley Coalfields. Spread over an area of 486.44 hectares, the project will be an open-cast coal mine with an annual production capacity of 12 million tonnes (MTPA). The estimated project cost is ₹1,876 crore. The coal mine was allocated to Hindalco Industries Limited by the Ministry of Coal on December 27, 2024.”

The project is expected to generate substantial direct employment opportunities, while creating a much larger ecosystem of indirect employment through transportation, logistics, equipment maintenance, contractual services, afforestation, retail, food services and other allied activities. These economic opportunities are expected to benefit drivers, skilled workers, service providers, micro and small enterprises, contractors and local entrepreneurs.

Beyond employment and income generation, the project is also expected to contribute to community development through statutory payments such as revenue share, royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), besides Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Such interventions can support healthcare, education, drinking water, sanitation, roads and other essential community infrastructure in mining-affected areas.

Highlighting the project’s environmental safeguards, Saubhagya Tripathy, Deputy Head, Corporate Affairs, Hindalco, said, “Hindalco has proposed several environmental protection measures, including dust suppression, scientific overburden management, water treatment and reuse, a 100 KLD sewage treatment plant, a 50 KLD effluent treatment plant, and a 248.87-hectare green belt and afforestation programme using native species.”

He further said that Hindalco remained committed to responsible mining and sustainable development, with a strong focus on environmental protection, wildlife conservation, community welfare and compliance with all applicable statutory requirements.

 “This project can create new employment and business opportunities for our youth. Local people will have access to more opportunities, and the development resulting from the project can bring visible changes to the lives of families here,” said Minati Adha of Kiripsira village.

Echoing similar sentiments, Rebati Chhatria, Sarpanch, said, “People want development that benefits the local community. We believe this project will make a significant contribution towards creating employment, generating income and improving public amenities in the area.”

The public hearing also witnessed strong support from members of the Displaced Committee, who expressed expectations that the proposed project would contribute to local economic growth and create new opportunities for people in the surrounding areas.