The Hindu Business Line : Dabhol project: Some gained, while others lost

A KIND of vacuity pervades the power generation complex constructed by the erstwhile Enron Corporation in verdant Ranvi in Ratnagiri district, first made famous by alphonso mangoes.

"Hum ko to nahin lagta ki ye prakalp ab phir shuru hoga (we do not think this project will start again). For us it is dead," said Mr Atmaram More about the 2184 MW mothballed power project now under the receivership of the Mumbai High Court.

Mr More was the President of Enron Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti that fought against the installation of the power project.

From outside its padlocked gates, you can hear a faint hum of machines. A worker who stepped out for lunch from behind the gates said that about 250 men employed by Delhi-based engineering firm Punj Lloyd were at work within - painting, oiling and rust-proofing idle machinery and structures.

Mr More said that the people here will restart their agitation if the plant reopens without addressing their concerns. The Samiti is still fighting its case in courts to keep the company shut.

Meanwhile, in several places - Mumbai, Delhi, and even distant New York - people are at work to switch on the power plant.

Technical and financial consultants are working with lenders to the project to chalk out a restart proposal. The promoters of Dabhol Power Company are probing ways to get their millions out.

According to some reports, even the US and Indian diplomatic corps are on the job. The primary concern of most major players in this drama remains money.

The villagers of Anjanvel, Ranvi and Veldur, however, have some other concerns - displacement of people, environment pollution, and compensation for lost land.

Mr Yeshwant Baeet, a devoted activist of the Samiti's cause, said: "We understand that a lot of public money is stuck in the project. Our opposition to it is not blind. If they assure us that there would not be any displacement or environment pollution, we do not mind the functioning of the project."

He added that there was "no question of moving from where our forefathers lived".

Besides, when the plant started functioning, naphtha had leaked from storage tanks and seeped into wells and ponds contaminating the groundwater in surrounding areas. And even with high smokestacks, the project caused air pollution, he said.

The fishermen of Veldur also chip in. Mr Vittal Bhalekar, Sarpanch of Veldur and Samiti activist, said: "The company let out warm water from its cooling towers into the sea. The water raised the temperature of the sea at the confluence with the Dabhol creek where prawns breed. The brief while that the plant operated, fishermen came back empty-handed from the sea."

Mr Bhalekar, who himself owns two boats, added that the seawater used in the towers was also treated with chemicals to prevent the metal cooling fins inside from rusting. "The chemical is harmful to marine life."

There are those on the other side too. A shopkeeper in front of the main gate of the complex said, "I used to make Rs 1,000-1,200 per day when the plant was running. Now I hardly make Rs 200." His shop nestles in the middle of a long line of downed shutters.

Mr Ashok Deukar, who took voluntary retirement from Crompton Greaves two years ago to live off his farm in Guhagar, 15 km away from the project, is strongly in support of restarting the plant.

"The plant will help develop this area. There will be more jobs for people. I had even built a house in the hope of getting good rent. It is now lying vacant."

Like him, the supporters of the project are mostly those who do not live in its shadow and those who had set up businesses around the complex.

Guhagar is the closest `town' and was naturally the biggest economic beneficiary of the project.

There are many in Guhagar and the other nearby villages who have bought vehicles and built houses and shops in anticipation of business. Many of them are now deep in debt. Several hotels and lodges that had sprung up in the area are now up for sale.

Mr Baeet, said, with typical village humour, "When the project came up, those who walked bare feet began wearing shoes. Now they are back to being bare feet. Anyway, unlike us, they are not in the vicinity of the project to be directly affected by it."

As our vehicle wound its way down the smooth road from Ranvi to Chiplun, the driver said, "This road was built by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation for DPC. Until then it was a narrow pothole-filled road. The project was good for some... and bad for many."

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
LIC likely to be PSU pension fund manager

It's a different ball game for rural markets

CII-Ascon April-Sept survey: Sustained growth in manufacturing sector

Jaitley keeping close watch on rupee movement

Dabhol project: Some gained, while others lost

Reliance to invest Rs 10,000 cr in Gujarat