Villagers Protest Installation of Floating Solar Panels at Getalsud Dam, Demand Alternative Solutions
In a continued protest against the installation of floating solar panels at Getalsud Dam, villagers from Ungada halted the work on Friday, demanding that their concerns be addressed. The villagers, led by Bhola Mahato of the Getalsud Matsya Samiti, argue that the installation of the solar panels would reduce the space available for fishing, which is their primary source of livelihood. They fear that the project will leave them unemployed, as it will severely impact their fishing activities.
The protestors stopped the work of digging pits for testing the boundary wall and soil for the solar power plant. This is not the first time the villagers have raised their objections. On 27th September, the work was also halted due to similar concerns. The villagers are calling for a resolution to the issue through talks with local lawmakers, including the MP and MLA.
The administration attempted to convince the villagers by deploying Rapid Action Force (RAP) personnel at the site. Angada BDO Jaipal Soy, Silli DSP Anuj Oraon, Inspector Hanse Oraon, and Police Station In-charge Hiralal Shah tried to mediate, but the villagers remained firm in their stance. They are demanding that their grievances be addressed before the project proceeds.
The project, spearheaded by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), involves setting up a 172-hectare floating solar power plant at Getalsud Dam, at an estimated cost of Rs 450 crore. The work is being carried out by L&T Company. Despite the strong opposition, SECI project managers, including Pallava Yadu, Sujit Baitha, and others, were present at the site during the protests.
As the situation unfolds, the villagers continue to seek a solution that will allow them to maintain their livelihoods while also accommodating the ambitious renewable energy project.
