Simplex’s crusher machines, activities on Agricultural land pose environmental trouble in Nagaon district

Simplex Infrastructures Limited, one of the construction leaders in the country, whose illegal activities in the name of East – West corridor construction in Nagaon district has raised eye brows of every concerned circle in the state.

The company having tacit understanding with a section of top bureaucrats of Nagaon district has set up a facility of crushers machines in 17 bigha of 'agricultural land' at Kathalguri in the district for making suitable stones for road construction.

Simplex was awarded a contract of Rs. 196. 26 crore by National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for construction of a portion of East –West corridor (four lane) in Nagaon district.

The present activities of Simplex in Kathalguri have created environmental trouble in the area, which is primarily a agriculture based area. "Previously we did farming here. This year, we have no agri activities here as Simplex has set up their machineries on our farming land. We have no knowledge who had permitted the company to set up crusher machines here", said a villager.

As per law, no industrial / mechanical activities can be carried out in agricultural land without proper notification. But villagers said that no notification was issued.

On the other hand, by setting up the crusher machines in good number on 17 bigha of agricultural land, Simplex has violated a forest law. The area is a known 'elephant corridor', it can't be disturbed as per law. After Simplex set up the facility at Kathaguri agri land, elephant herd could not move through the area and as a result 'man – elephant conflict 'occurred in nearby areas.

When our reporters contacted Simplex officials at Rongagora , where too Simplex set up its base office on agricultural land, the officials said 'the company has all required permission from Nagaon district administration.

The deputy commissioner of Nagaon district is still silent on the issue of permitting Simplex Infrastructures to set up base office and crusher machines at agricultural land.

Simplex officials' dubious act to hide the permission issue from media raised suspicion that the company had obtained illegal means to obtain permission from vested interested officials in the district administration.