The establishment of a new ethanol plant by ‘Juststrive Industries Private Ltd’, headquartered in Hyderabad, has stirred discontent among locals and environmentalists in Nayagarh district. The plant is being built in Haridabandha mouza of Badagotha panchayat under Nuagaon block. Locals have raised concerns that it is being erected on a 60-acre plot near an elephant corridor, potentially impacting wildlife and the environment. This issue came to light when members of the local organization, ‘Anchalik Vikash Parishad’, and residents of Mahipur and Badagotha areas met Nayagarh District Collector Swadha Dev Singh, submitting a written complaint on Monday, urging intervention to halt the plant’s construction, reported Orissa Post.
However, Ajay Kumar Mohanty, one of the company owners, has stated that the plant construction adheres to all necessary permissions and clearances from state-owned IPICOL. He affirmed that permission for road construction on pasture land has been obtained and discussions are ongoing with villagers opposing it, aiming for an amicable resolution. Mohanty highlighted the potential benefits of the plant, including job opportunities for locals and indirect benefits for the community.
