Sonbhadra: Will Discovery of Gold Finally Bring Development?

Robertsganj (Sonbhadra): “Ka ho Bhaiya… Sau Man ka Sona, Kona Kona (Hello elder brother, Sonbhadra has gold in every corner)” is one of the common greetings that one can hear echoing in the entire Sonbhadra district, following the discovery of gold ore in two hills of the rocky district.

The district, situated on the borders of the Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, which has been in the news due to its recent discovery, also houses several stone and coal mines.

While the news of gold ore beneath Sonbhadra’s Hardi and Son Pahadi has brought a smile to everyone's face, but the residents of the energy capital of India (called so because of the large number of power plants) are hoping that this discovery will finally bring the attention of the government and development authorities to the district’s pathetic living conditions.

The Hardi pahadi (south view) where gold ore reserves have been traced by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). PC Saurabh Sharma (1).

Formed on March 4, 1989, by then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, the district lacks many basic facilities like proper sewage, drainage, waste management and even clean drinking water for its residents till this date. This is despite the fact that the district produces maximum electricity and has a large number of industries.

The first thing one notices while visiting Sonbhadra is the dust coming out of the stone crushers. A layer of dust hangs in the air, making the sky look pale. This dust has been taking a toll on the health of the region’s residents since past several years, with industries and quarries continuing their operations through serious violations of the guidelines by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Department.

Shiv Prakash Pandey, a resident and part-time social activist, said that the stone crushers of Sonbhadra do not fulfill even 50% parameters of the guidelines in this regard.

“There are violations everywhere. People are getting sick due to the dust and pollution while no government official pays heed towards the problem. The residents of the city have resorted to several sit-in protests and other forms of protest but have always been given a fake assurance that the problem will be sorted out in a few days,” he added.

Also read: All That Glitters: Amid Lack of Development, All Eyes on Rumoured Massive Gold Reserve in UP

However, the Pollution Control Board’s regional officer Radheshyam said that their board is keeping a strict vigil so that violations do not take place. “Our guidelines say that stone crushing should be covered and it is totally covered. There is also mention that sprinklers should be used during the stone crushing to settle down the dust,” he told NewsClick.

Engineer Radheyshyam, the regional officer of the pollution control board in Sonbhadra.

When this reporter pointed out that such shades were absent from the site, the official replied, “Stone crushing has been stopped since the past couple of days, so the tins or clothes used for covering must have been removed.”

He further added, “You know that our area is suffering from water crisis so the question of using sprinklers during the stone crushing should not be asked. People do not have water to drink here, how will they sprinkle to settle the dust?”

Explaining the details about the actions taken by the department for violation of their guidelines he said, “The department has imposed several crores of fine for violating the norms and many units have been shut. The Obra power plant has been fined with Rs 6 crore, the Anpara unit with Rs 6.1 crore, Northern Coalfields with Rs 6.15 crore, Khadiya unit with Rs 1.25 crore, Beena unit with Rs 64.5 lakh, Dudhichua unit with Rs 1.3 crore, two units of NTPC with Rs 45.9 lakh (Rihand), and the other one with Rs 27 lakhs.”

While dodging the questions on the pollution issues in the district, he said that dust is due to the overloading by the trucks passing through the district and non-construction of the four lane highway.

Also read: Landlord Savagery in Sonbhadra on Tribal Cultivators

“The regional transport office is checking the overloading of the trucks who transport coal, crushed stones and even sand from the area. We cannot work in the area which is not in our hands,” he said.

It may be mentioned that as per the official figures available with the district administration, the district has 10 power plants, 364 active stone crushing units, two chemical plants and five coal mines.

CMO office establishing pic. PC Saurabh Sharma.

The district’s chief medical officer (CMO), S K Upadhyay, told NewsClick that the problem of dust and air pollution has led to a rise in lung-related diseases, breathing problems and even tuberculosis.

“Things are not as bad as highlighted. The medical department is taking care of everything and things are under control. Yes, there are cases related to lungs and breathing which is mainly due to the dust, majorly in Obra or Renukoot area,” he said.

Meanwhile, city mayor Virendra Kumar Jaiswal said that he has been trying his best to improve the things.

City chairman Virendra Kumar Jaiswal. PC Saurabh Sharma.

“I have been raising the demand for development of the city. I have also been raising my voice for funds to construct the drainage and sewage in the city for the last two years. But the higher ups are yet to listen to our problems. I am sure that after the discovery of gold. the district will get as much attention as other districts,” he said.

The legend of, “Sau Man Sona, Kona Kona”, goes back to c. 711 AD when the then ruling tribal chief Bal Shah had hidden his sau man (around 4,000 kgs) gold in the hill of Sonbhadra after he was attacked by Chandel rulers.

The Agori Fort where once lived King Bal Shah. PC Saurabh Sharma.