Villagers Of Bennavolu In Anakapalli District Split Over White Clay Excavation

VISAKHAPATNAM: Excavation of white clay from the hills in Bennavolu village of Chodavaram mandal in Anakapalli district is set to resume after over a decade.

Spread over 41.99 acres, white clay in the region had been used in the manufacture of ceramic tiles. For years, Regency Ceramics transported this clay to its factory in Yanam. The mining activities halted when Regency shut down. The white clay hills remained largely untouched for over a decade.

The situation is now changing. Srilakshmi Narasimha Metals and Sand Industry has applied for permission to start excavation of the white clay. A public hearing had been held in Bennavolu in this regard on November 15.

Village resident Panduru Paidi Naidu told Deccan Chronicle, “RDO Ayesha Sheikh, officials from the Pollution Control Board, a circle inspector, two sub-inspectors, four women constables, and 10 male constables attended the gram sabha, where many villagers, both men and women, voiced strong objections to the proposed mining. The meeting had been scheduled for 11 a.m. But it started only in the evening to minimise participation,” another resident disclosed.

The new company is expected to mine the entire 41.99-acre area, excavating and transporting 360,000 tonnes of white clay annually, with a monthly target of 30,000 tonnes. The company plans to deploy 150 heavy vehicles for transportation and will pay a royalty of Rs 130 per tonne to the government.

These figures have heightened concerns, as residents fear extensive excavation will disrupt the ecological balance, deplete water resources and affect agricultural fields.

Bennavolu sarpanch M. Shankarao of the YSRC party said: “A public opinion poll conducted in the village reveals a divided community. Some residents support the mining proposal, hoping it will bring revenue and development to Bennavolu, especially since the panchayat currently receives only Rs 1,10,000 in house tax. The amount insufficient to bring about basic improvements in the village. Some of us voted in favour of mining during the gram sabha, believing that income from white clay extraction will fund long-overdue development projects.”

Others are concerned about the potential consequences. Currently, 20 families in Bennavolu have been traditionally mining white clay for their livelihood. They grind the clay into flour and sell it locally. These families worry about industrial-scale operations eliminating their only source of income. Many villagers fear that once the hill is fully excavated, the community will be left with nothing.

A resident Naidu expressed this anxiety clearly, “We have been living on this white clay hill for a long time. We mine clay and sell it widely, earning a good income, particularly during the Sankranti festival. If the company leasing the land uses mining machines, we will lose our income. The government should consider our situation and do justice to us.”