Whiff of fresh air for pollution victims

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 5

The district administration has acquired 40 acres to relocate Khukhrana village located near the Panipat thermal power station. The authorities have finalised the design of the village to be shifted near Sodhapur village.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chander Shekhar Khare said all houses, including barnyard in the village, had been measured and the list finalised.

More than 500 houses under the ‘lal dora’ would be shifted in the first phase and those situated outside its limits would be shifted in the next phase, the DC said.

The plots would be allotted in draw of lots at the new location. The smallest plot size will be 50 sq yard while the biggest plot will measure 800 sq yard. The village would be set up on 25 acres, the DC maintained.

Residents of Khukhrana village were forced to live in pathetic conditions due to air and water pollution caused by the thermal and cement plants.

Most of the residents had been suffering from respiratory and skin diseases. Though many families shifted due to the problem of waterlogging, more than 2,000 persons continued living in the village.