Agitation hit coal transportation in Talcher.

Talcher, June 02 (UNI) Transportation of coal from Talcher came to a grinding halt and production in four out of six mega coal mines of Talcher coalfield were paralysed following agitations by affected villagers.

Sources said the land losers of Zillinda, Kandhal and Solod affected by Ananta and Bhubaneswari mines stopped Ananata, Jagananath and Bhubaneswari open cast mines and close down the concerned project officers' offices since yesterday demanding the promised job to the oustees by Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL).

The villagers alleged that MCL authorities did not meet their commitments to provide 80 jobs to them till date forcing them to go for strike.

Similarly the land oustees of Kandhal marched to Lingaraj mine linked to NTPC-kaniha yesterday and stopped the output protesting the non-availability of employment to them as promised by Lingaraj authorities.

Coal transportation from Hngula and Balaram mines had been hit for the last four days due to the road blockade by Soloda villagers demanding jobs.

Angul Collector Girish S N said the authorities were monitoring the situation and senior officials dealing with land acquisition and rehabilitation had been rushed to troubled areas to negotiate with the agitating villagers.

Coal authorities estimated a loss of more than 80000 tonne of coal per day due to the closure of four mines. Every day at least 22 coal rakes moved out of Talcher carrying coal for power stations across the South India and Orissa.

UNI