- RTI Exposes Major Reality: 34 Villages Hit by Pakri Barwadih Coal Mining
- NTPC Releases Official Village-Wise List for the First Time
Jharkhand News : Amid years of protests, disputes, and conflicting claims surrounding the Pakri Barwadih coal mining project, a major revelation has emerged through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. NTPC Limited has officially acknowledged for the first time that 34 villages are directly affected by the Pakri Barwadih coal mining project.
This disclosure was made in a written RTI reply issued by NTPC’s Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), bringing long-standing displacement and rehabilitation concerns into sharp focus.
📄 RTI Application Brings Official Confirmation
The information came in response to an RTI application filed by Nepul Kumar, a resident of Jugra village, through the Government of India’s RTI portal.
In reply to RTI Application No. NTPCO/R/E/26/00075, NTPC provided an official, village-wise list of affected areas—marking the first time such data has been formally documented.
🏘️ List of 34 Villages Declared Affected by NTPC
According to the RTI reply, the villages officially identified as affected include:
Itij, Chirudih, Nagari, Dadikala, Chepakala, Arahra, Pakri Barwadih, Sinduwari, Sombarsa, Churchu, Jugra, Chepakalan, Keri, Langatu, Devrikhurd, Urub, Barkagaon, Devrikala, Lakura, Beltu, Kandaber, Baratu, Jabra, Basaria, Nawadih, Sirma, Dhenga, Thang, Banka, Banadag, Kusumbha, Katkamdag, Pasal, Sikri, and Garikala.
✍️ Signed by NTPC CPIO, Appeal Option Mentioned
The RTI reply bears the signature of Vikas Kumar, CPIO, NTPC Limited. The document also states that if the applicant is dissatisfied with the response, a first appeal may be filed within 30 days.
The designated Appellate Authority is Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Appellate Authority, NTPC Limited, Noida.
🗣️ Villagers’ Claims Gain Documentary Strength
This RTI disclosure has reignited debates around rehabilitation, compensation, land acquisition, and employment. Affected villagers say they have endured the project’s impact for years, yet several villages were earlier excluded from official records.
With this RTI response, villagers now have strong documentary evidence supporting their long-standing claims.
⚖️ New Basis for Protests and Legal Action
Social activists and local observers believe that NTPC’s official acknowledgment may become a crucial document for future movements, policy reviews, and legal battles related to displacement and rehabilitation.
In the Pakri Barwadih region, this RTI revelation is being viewed as a significant turning point in the ongoing struggle between development and displacement.
