The peaceful village of Undir is currently embroiled in a tense standoff as local residents vehemently oppose the establishment of a 15 Million Liters per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in their vicinity. Led by Mukund Naik, the villagers have united to express their concerns about the project’s potential impact on their environment and way of life.
The primary bone of contention is the proposed felling of 109 trees to accommodate the STP infrastructure. The villagers are demanding clear demarcation of these trees before any further steps are taken. Their concerns are magnified by fears of flooding during the monsoon season and the potential for unbearable odours emanating from the STP, making it difficult for them to continue residing in their homes.
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The controversy has escalated to the point where the villagers have called for a public meeting on September 3rd to discuss their grievances openly. In a strong display of their determination, they have even hinted at the possibility of taking the matter to the Supreme Court if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
At the heart of their protest is the assertion that the STP project is being imposed upon them without due consideration of their apprehensions. The acquisition of approximately 34,000 square meters of land for the STP, including the thousands of trees on that land, has exacerbated the situation. Villagers question the feasibility of the project being carried out while only 109 trees are slated for removal. They are calling on the government to provide a detailed explanation of this plan.
The villagers have also aimed their frustration at the Power Minister, whom they accuse of pushing the STP project on their community. Government officials, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PwD Minister Nilesh Cabral, have visited the site in an attempt to address the villagers’ concerns and gain their support. However, tensions continue to run high, as the villagers remain steadfast in their opposition.
Taking their protest to a more formal level, the villagers have formed the “Undir Sarakshan Manch,” a group that will spearhead their efforts to safeguard their village’s interests. Mukund Naik, the convenor of the group, emphasized that their fight against the STP project has been ongoing for seven years, underscoring the depth of their commitment to their cause.
As the standoff intensifies, the Undir villagers are resolute in their stance, demanding transparency, accountability, and a thorough assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed STP project. The coming days will reveal whether the authorities can address their concerns and find a viable solution that balances the need for development with the preservation of their community’s well-being.
