Once the hotbed of anti-mining protests, the mood at Gogi village and surrounding areas in Yadgir district seems be tempered. The exploratory mining had to be stalled after residents feared that the water was being contaminated.
Once in opposition of the project, Ramanagowda Kollur, former chairman of Shahapur Taluk Panchayat, says now that the mine is “necessary” to develop the backward area.
He had earlier visited Junagadh in Jharkhand where there is an uranium mine. “There are enough precautions to prevent health hazards for the residents in Jharkand. UCIL should take up health and educational development programmes for the people of Yadgir,” he said.
However, there are some who have pledged to restart their protest. Mallanna Parivana, chairman of Bhoomitayi Horata Samiti told The Hindu that their agitations will be intense. “We will oppose the mine as we are concerned about our health. Even during the exploratory mining, many developed cancer and skin issues,” he said.
There could be trouble yet for UCIL, as land-losers during the acquisition process have approached the court over “meagre” compensation paid. The district administration said they had received any communication on resumption of interest in the mine.
