Widespread protests by villagers prompt authorities to stop ethanol factory construction works at Dilawarpur

Widespread protests in Dilawarpur against ethanol factory construction culminated in celebrations after authorities halted the project.

Widespread protests by villagers of Dilawarpur and its three surrounding villages in Telangana’s Nirmal district for two consecutive days against an upcoming ethanol factory at Dilawarpur culminated in celebrations on Wednesday with the decision of the district authorities to stop the ethanol factory construction works.

Dilawarpur witnessed massive protests by the local villagers for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as villagers took to the streets in protest against the alleged detention of some local youth by the police in connection with Tuesday’s highway blockade.

Some unidentified persons allegedly pelted stones towards the police vehicles, triggering tension in the village on Wednesday morning, sources said.

Heavy police force was deployed in and around Dilawarpur to prevent untoward incidents.

Following the widespread protests by villagers against the ethanol factory citing potential damage to their fertile farmlands and health risks, the district authorities ordered stoppage of ethanol factory construction works at Dilawarpur and kept the factory in abeyance.

Nirmal Collector Abhilasha Abhinav issued orders to this effect after discussing the matter with the local villagers. The Collector apprised the State government of the issue.

The 10-hour-long road blockade by the villagers at Dilawarpur on Tuesday saw disruption of vehicular traffic on the Nirmal-Bhainsa stretch of NH 61.