Bathinda: Activists, environmental groups, farmer organisations, and locals opposed a proposed 3 million tonnes per annum JK Cement plant spanning 66 acres in Bathinda district's Maiserkhana village during a public hearing organised by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on Wednesday.
Protests at the Hearing
The day began with activists from outside the area accusing the police of barricading the village to block their participation. Free entry was only permitted after protesters uprooted several barricades. Inside, activists objected to unauthorised individuals sitting in the gallery reserved for government and company officials.
Misdirection on Pollution Category
Activist Jasinder Sekhon said JK Cement's consultant listed the plant as an orange category (medium-pollution) industry on March 11, 2026. However, a Supreme Court ruling on February 13, 2026, had already classified cement plants as red category (high-pollution). Protesters demanded the hearing be declared null and void due to this misdirection.
PPCB officials claimed the project was initially conceived under the orange category before the Supreme Court's reclassification. They assured protesters that all objections had been officially recorded.
Withheld Environmental Report
The Public Action Committee (PAC) said the PPCB website only hosted a brief executive summary. The full Environmental Impact Assessment report, containing crucial data on air quality, hazard risks, and environmental management, was withheld from the public, according to the committee.
Water Consumption Concerns
Residents also demanded clarity on the plant's massive annual water consumption, questioning whether it would deplete groundwater or divert local canal water.
Previous Opposition to Cement Industry
This marks the second major pushback against the cement industry in the region within a year. Eleven months ago, on July 14, 2025, residents of Talwandi Aklia and Katamgarh Autanwali in Mansa district successfully formed a protest front to block a proposed 6 million tonnes per annum JSW Cement plant across 48 acres.
