Ithalar, Balocola panchayats pass resolution opposing Sillahalla Hydroelectric Project

The Ithalar and Balocola gram panchayats have passed a resolution opposing the Sillahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Nilgiris.

The Ithalar and Balocola gram panchayats have passed a resolution opposing the Sillahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Nilgiris. On Monday (April 7, 2025), local residents from villages in the areas surrounding the project site submitted a petition to the Nilgiris district collector, Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, demanding that the use of explosives along the project area site be stopped, and for the district administration to provide details of their use through the Right to Information (RTI) act.

The residents stated that during the gram sabha meeting held on March 29, 2025, a resolution opposing the project was unanimously passed, with concerns over the “environment, culture and livelihoods” being cited.

Local residents further claimed that explosives were being used at the project site for the last two months. On March 22, 2025, two major blasts took place at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., they said, with residents claiming that explosions were felt at Bellathycombai and Manjoor. Residents claimed that the use of explosives violated orders of the Madras High Court, and they added that the use of explosives posed a significant threat to the lives and homes of local residents living in landslip-prone areas.

“The public hearing for the Sillahalla Project was postponed without a new date being announced. This occurred without any explanation, denying us our rights. As per the gram sabha resolution, we demand clear information and participation,” the residents added in their petition, submitted to the Collector’s office during the weekly grievance day redressal meeting held on Monday.

They demanded an immediate halt to the “illegal” use of explosives. “Deploy authorised officials — such as the Deputy Tahsildar, Police Inspector, and Geological Department officers — under Section 21(4) of the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957 (as per G.O.(Ms).No. 170, 05.08.2020) to immediately inspect and stop illegal blasting,” and also to seize the equipment and vehicles used, they said.

Calling on the district administration and the government to release the environmental, geological, and social impact assessments of the Sillahalla project in a “manner understandable to the public,” the residents sought information about the use of explosives under the RTI Act.

They sought details of the alleged use of explosives at the project site with “dates, locations and entities responsible,” as well as information as to whether permissions have been received from the department of geology and mining for the use of explosives and whether the Collector was aware of their usage. They also sought details on whether their use complied with the Madras High Court’s orders and sought documents from the government within a period of 30 days.