In Jajpur; Deputy director mines to stop quarrying of black Stone  at Dankari hillock

 BY AKSHYA ROUT

JAJPUR, APR 19 : Jajpur administration has directed the deputy director mines (minor minerals) to stop quarrying of black granite at Dankari hillock in Dharmasala block clearing the way for establishment of a commercial-cum-strategic petroleum reserve facility. “Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in January this year stated that the Union govt approved establishment of a commercial-cum-strategic petroleum reserve facility at Dankari. After the CM’s announcement, the district administration swung into action and the Jajpur collector directed us on April 16 to halt all quarry works at Dankari,” said Jayaprakash Nayak, the deputy director mines (Minor Minerals).

On Dec 16, 2024, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Suresh Gopi, told the Rajya Sabha that in July 2021, the govt approved establishment of two additional commercial-cum-strategic petroleum reserve facilities with total storage capacity of 6.5 MMT, including one at Dankari in Jajpur district with 4 MMT on public-private partnership mode.

Responding to a question from Sasmit Patra, the minister said the project cost is about Rs 9,000 crores for potentially the largest reserve of the country that will boost Odisha’s GDP and increase other auxiliary economic activities in the area. Currently, 17 lease holders are legally doing quarry works at Dankari after getting proper permission from the authorities for which it would be difficult on our part to prevent them from doing quarry works. “We are discussing this issue with our senior officials,” added Nayak.