Adilabad’s CCI Dream Fades With Demolition of Packing Unit
The CCI Sadhana Committee, formed with Opposition parties, had earlier organised protests seeking intervention by the BJP-led Central government for revival of the unit.
Adilabad: The dismantling of the cement packing unit at the Adilabad facility of Cement Corporation of India (CCI) on May 26 has effectively ended the physical presence of the long-defunct plant, even as a petition related to the unit remains pending before the High Court.
The demolition forms part of a tender issued for clearing existing structures of the Adilabad unit and converting them into scrap.
The unit, closed in 2000, had provided direct employment to about 5,000 people and indirect employment to another 5,000 in the Adilabad Assembly constituency. The facility is located on limestone reserves estimated to support cement production for nearly 100 years.
Efforts to revive the unit have not materialised over the past two decades, with political parties including the BRS, BJP and Congress raising the issue during Assembly and Parliament elections. The revival demand has remained a recurring campaign plank.
The CCI Sadhana Committee, formed with Opposition parties, had earlier organised protests seeking intervention by the BJP-led Central government for revival of the unit.
In 2018, BJP national president Amit Shah had stated that the party would revive the Adilabad unit if voted to power in the state. The assurance did not translate into action.
Adilabad MLA Payal Shankar said Indian Air Force officials had sought an additional 1,200 acres, over and above 769 acres already proposed, for a township and related infrastructure. He said the Air Force had also sought land owned by the closed CCI unit. There is no clarity on whether these lands will be allocated for a proposed airport project in Adilabad.
According to S. Vilas of the CCI Employees Union affiliated to AITUC, the unit owns 887 acres and holds another 1,200 acres on lease. Farmers whose lands were acquired have approached the High Court seeking their return, citing the absence of operations.
The CCI management issued a closure notice in 2017, which was challenged by the employees’ union. The High Court directed the management to clear pending dues to employees, but the order has been challenged before a division bench. Former employee Thirumani Rajanna said hopes of revival had faded, affecting the development of the constituency. He said the land should be protected and utilised for the welfare of local people.