Anti Iron Ore Export Committee has demanded that the government should stop export of iron ore from Obulapuram mines to China via Krishnapatnam port.
Alleging that allowing exports of iron ore is against national interest, Mr J Kishore Babu committee convener claimed that India’s reserves would be exhausted within 50 years if exports are not stopped. He wondered as to how the government is allowing mining companies to excavate iron ore reserves despite knowing that existing deposits are not enough to last long given the steep rise in domestic consumption.
Mr Babu said that except India, whose domestic consumption is rising, no other country in the world has allowed its export. He added that countries like Ukraine and Australia had however allowed export of iron ore since their domestic consumption of steel would not pose any threat to their reserves even in the long run.
Meanwhile, a study team comprising Human Rights Forum president Mr Burra Ramulu, Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties committee joint secretary Mr D Suresh Kumar, Organization for Protection of Domestic Rights vice president Mr V Hanumantha Rao and others visited the district on May 3rd and May 4th 2008 to ascertain as to how iron ore laden lorries proceeding from Obulapuram to Krishnapatnam have been posing a great danger to public life.
The team said that 70 people were killed while more than 150 injured in different accidents in the district for the last few months. They added that "Moreover, the movement of iron ore laden lorries has been affecting the health of several villagers besides damaging the environment and also the existing infrastructure."
