Priyanka Tiwari
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In the wake of public outrage, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has put a halt to work on the Baldota Steel and Power Ltd (BSPL) Plant located in Koppal.
During the Global Investors Meet in Bengaluru, the Baldota group proposed a Rs 54,000 crore plan to build an integrated steel plant. The project was met with staunch resistance from Koppal Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike and other environmentalists who claimed the plant would be detrimental to the surrounding area due to pollution and other negative consequences.
On February 24, a bandh was held which gained a significant amount of support including store closures, transport halts, and thousands marching in dissent. A political and environmental delegation was later able to meet with the CM where they presented a memorandum in opposition to the project.
Siddaramaiah met with them to discuss their concerns and reassured them that the plant was not approved by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, but rather sought further information regarding the initial work that needed to be done. A discussion with Industries Minister MB Patil was anticipated in resolving the situation further.
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