Chandrapur: Congress MLA from Rajura, Subhash Dhote, has lodged a complaint with the Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Deepak Kapoor, accusing UltraTech Cement of illegally extracting 4 million liters of water daily without proper authorization from the Irrigation Department. The shocking revelation came to light through drone footage, according to Dhote.
UltraTech Cement’s Awarpur unit in Korapna Taluka has been extensively mining limestone, resulting in the creation of large pits. These pits collect millions of liters of water seeping in from the nearby Amalnala Dam’s benefit area. It is alleged that UltraTech Cement has been illegally extracting this water. Proper permits from the Irrigation Department are required for such extraction, but the company reportedly did not obtain any.
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The unauthorized extraction of 4 million liters of water daily prompted immediate action. Upon receiving the complaint, officials from the Irrigation Department visited the site for inspection but were allegedly misled by the company and denied access to the location. This comes at a time when farmers face water usage restrictions, highlighting the injustice to local residents due to the lack of restrictions on large corporations.
On June 10, a clerk from the regional office in Gadchandur noticed suspicious water extraction from the mines while calibrating meters on the Wardha River and Amalnala. When the clerk requested to inspect the limestone mine, the unit head denied any water extraction and refused access to the mines. Subsequently, drone footage captured by the officials revealed the illegal water extraction by UltraTech Cement.
MLA Subhash Dhote has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against UltraTech Cement for the unauthorized use of non-irrigation water from the Awarpur mines in Chandrapur district. He submitted his request to Principal Secretary Deepak Kapoor, urging prompt and decisive action.
