Virbhadra upset over ‘attempts to derail Arki limestone project’

“The NMDC will start production within three years,” Virbhadra Singh said during an informal chat at his residence here on Thursday.

He,however,expressed disappointment over the “voices of dissent” being aired by certain sections,including a few NGOs,pertaining to a possible threat to the locals’ livelihood and natural water resources.

“I have brought this project to Himachal because of the huge potential involved. Agriculture land,natural water sources or other assets are not going to be affected in any manner. Only barren land will be taken over for mining,which will be flattened and could be used for plantations,agriculture or other useful activities,” he told The Indian Express.

The benefits from the project,said the minister,would be immense. “The NMDC has already sanctioned nearly Rs 53 crore,of which Rs 25 crore is for infrastructure schemes like roads,Rs 13 crore is for water supply schemes and Rs 15 crore is for community related work. There is also provision for annual profit sharing among the locals,” he explained.

He said if the people of the area still felt that the project would not benefit them or adversely affect them,it would be scrapped. The minister accused a few voluntary organisations of spreading misconceptions about the mining project.