Residents, political parties in Yellandu want Poosapalli OC launched at the earliest

Residents and political leaders in Yellandu have urged the State government and SCCL management to speed up the delayed Poosapalli opencast mine project. They said the project could revive the town’s economy and provide employment opportunities to hundreds of local youths

Kothagudem: The residents and leaders of different political parties in Yellandu have been demanding that the State government and the SCCL management expedite works to launch the proposed Poosapalli opencast mine project.

The Poosapalli opencast mine project, proposed to be launched in the year 2025-26, is being delayed much to the chagrin of the locals. According to officials, the opencast mine with estimated 20 million tonnes of coal reserves would have a life of 14 years.

Speaking to Telangana Today, TBGKS leader S Ranganath stated that coal mines such as 21 incline, Strut Pit, JK 5 OC and others have already been shut down. The Congress government should not delay the launch of the Poosapalli OC project and should start it forthwith for the benefit of the locals.

Lack of initiative from the SCCL management and the government has been holding back the project launch. When the BRS was in power, discussions were held with the residents whose lands would be acquired for the project, but now there has been no progress, said former MLA Haripriya Naik.

The local MLA Koram Kanakaiah has been acting negligently in pursuing the matter. If the Poosapalli OC project is launched, it could provide employment to hundreds of youths in Yellandu. The MLA should hold talks with the SCCL management and the government to speed up the project launch, she demanded.

CPI (M) leader Abdul Nabi stated that many residents, especially the youth, in Yellandu have been migrating to other parts due to a lack of employment and livelihood opportunities. The economic growth of the town has also been affected following the closure of mines.

Yellandu, the birthplace of coal mining in the country, was once vibrant with mining and economic activity. Now, the town looks desolate. In order to bring back its past glory, the SCCL management and the government should immediately start Poosapalli opencast operations, he noted.

If the SCCL management and the government fail to respond, the locals and the political parties would launch a series of protests in support of the demand, the leaders warned.