Public outrage peaks against DVC's proposed floating solar power project at Maithon Dam, residents of 40 villages across 22 mouzas warn of a larger movement
Asansol:
Intense tension and public outrage have erupted in the border areas of Jharkhand and West Bengal over the Damodar Valley Corporation's (DVC) proposed 'Floating Solar Project' in the Maithon reservoir. Local indigenous, aboriginal, and fishing communities claim that if this project is implemented, their sole livelihood and the local ecosystem will face severe threats. Protesting against this with the war cry, 'Water, Forest, Land are our rights', thousands of people from 40 villages across 22 mouzas gathered at the Kalipathar ground for a massive protest rally.
Organized jointly by the 'Damodar Valley Bastuhara Sangram Samiti' and 'L Mahal & Kherwal Mahal', tribal and indigenous people began arriving in processions from surrounding villages since Monday morning. Carrying party banners, festoons, and traditional musical instruments, the gathering of thousands shook the entire area with their protests.
Historical Deprivation and Present Crisis:
While addressing the public meeting, speakers vented their anger over historical deprivation by DVC. They reminded the audience that during the construction of the Maithon Dam in the 1950s, thousands of acres of fertile land and homesteads were seized, rendering thousands of families homeless. Most of the promises made at that time—such as proper compensation, rehabilitation, and permanent jobs for at least one family member—remain unfulfilled to this day. Many displaced families have been fighting legal battles for decades in hope of justice.
Now, in the remaining reservoir of the dam, which serves as the sole source of livelihood for local fishermen and residents, a conspiracy has begun to install floating solar panels for the benefit of big corporate interests. According to the protesters, covering thousands of acres of the water body with solar panels will increase water temperature, block sunlight, and thereby disrupt the growth of aquatic plants and fish. This will not only destroy the ecological balance but also render thousands of fishing families jobless in a single stroke.
Clear Message and Core Demands of the Agitators:
Leaders present at the public meeting clearly declared, "Our ancestors gave land for the dam, but we will not allow any corporate entity to occupy our water and aquatic environment anymore. We will give our lives, but we will not give up our rights."
The primary demands of the villagers are:
1. All proposed floating solar projects in the Maithon reservoir must be completely and immediately cancelled.
2. The long-pending issues of rehabilitation, overdue compensation, and employment demands of the displaced families since the dam's construction must be swiftly resolved.
3. The customary and traditional rights of indigenous and aboriginal communities over water, forests, and land must be legally recognized, and no illegal intervention will be tolerated.
Presence of Leadership and Warning for the Future:
Eminent indigenous and social movement representatives of the region were present as key speakers and organizers at this massive public meeting, including Basudeb Mahato, President of Damodar Valley Bastuhara Sangram Samiti, Chief Coordinator Suresh Soren, Paresh Marandi, Ranjeet Soren, Akbar Ansari, Biplab Marandi, Ajay Hembrom, Ashok Murmu, Sujit Marandi, Rohit Murmu, Banshi Murmu, and Amit Murmu.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a stern warning was issued to the DVC authorities and the local administration that if this anti-environment and anti-livelihood project is not withdrawn immediately, harsher and larger struggles, including the siege of the dam and blockade of DVC offices, will be adopted in the days to come. The speakers warned that the wildfire of this movement would spread across the entire industrial belt.
