Villagers in Budhakhap, a small community in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, have launched protests against Aloke Steel Industries, accusing the sponge iron plant of severe air pollution that has turned daily life into a health and livelihood crisis. Residents report black dust coating homes, farmlands and water sources, alongside rising respiratory issues, crop damage and unfulfilled promises of jobs and infrastructure from the factory’s establishment.
Daily Life Under Dust Siege
Budhakhap’s 500+ families describe a choking environment: doors stay shut longer to block fine black particles from Aloke Steel’s chimneys, clothes dry indoors, and children are confined during heavy emissions. Handpump water carries odd smells; utensils blacken overnight. Farmers lament blackened crop leaves—paddy, vegetables and pulses—threatening food safety and yields in a region where agriculture sustains most households.
Health alarms ring loud: persistent coughs plague elders, children suffer frequent fevers and asthma-like symptoms, and livestock shows distress (e.g., goats’ white fur turning black). Locals link these to factory fly ash and fumes, with one video showing ash clouds blanketing fields kilometers away.
Broken Promises Fuel the Fire
Protests erupted weeks ago when construction-era assurances—local jobs, roads, schools, medical facilities—evaporated. Villagers claim temporary labor went to outsiders; permanent roles bypassed locals despite proximity (plant <1 km from homes). “They promised development; we got death,” one protester told media, echoing sentiments in viral videos shared by accounts like Mythbuster_in and Jharkhand Bachao.
Dharna demonstrations at the collectorate drew hundreds, including women demanding “mukti den ya iccha mrityu di jaiye” (free us or grant mercy death). A child reportedly died from pollution-linked illness, intensifying grief-turned-anger.
Aloke Steel Industries: Profile and Past Scrutiny
Aloke Steels Industries Pvt Ltd, a sponge iron/sponge steel producer, operates from Village Budhakhap, PO Karma, Ramgarh (environmental clearance docs confirm location). Part of Jharkhand’s industrial belt near coal mines, it secured MoEFCC nod for expansion but faces repeated flak for non-compliance.
Similar complaints surfaced in 2023: videos showed emissions killing vegetation, animals and health; villagers picketed demanding closure. Rongta Steel (nearby/related) drew ire for amenities shortfall. Ramgarh’s ecosystem—steel plants, illegal coal mining—exacerbates pollution; past reports flagged labour exploitation and norm violations.
No official company response to current protests; management previously blamed “technical glitches.”
Government Response and CM Intervention
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren took suo motu cognizance after viral videos (shared by Ashok Danoda on X). He reposted footage terming it “completely unacceptable,” directing Ramgarh DC Faiz Aq Ahmad Mumtaz for immediate probe, rule-based action and detailed report. District admin alerted; inspections expected on emissions, safeguards and promises.
Soren’s swift move signals priority amid Ramgarh’s pollution history (e.g., Bhurkunda rail siding protests).
Broader Ramgarh Pollution Context
Ramgarh, an industrial hub (steel, power, mining), battles chronic air woes:
- BFCL Plant (2025): Viral smoke videos prompted MP Manish Jaiswal intervention; assurances unmet.
- Sirka Colliery: Coal transport halted amid protests.
- Shyam Metalics (Odisha analog): Waste polluted farmlands.
Coal demand fuels illegal mining in Ramgarh-Hazaribagh; JCBs transport to factories, bypassing norms. TB experts warn pollution rivals smoking, shaving 10 years off life expectancy.
Villagers’ Demands and Path Ahead
Protesters seek:
- Plant shutdown/relocation.
- Compensation for health/crop losses.
- Fulfilled promises (jobs, facilities).
- Independent pollution audit.
With CM’s directive, DC-led teams may enforce JSPCB norms (fly ash control, stack heights). Past cases show fines/closures, but enforcement lags. NGOs/environmentalists eye PILs; social media amplifies pressure.
Budhakhap’s fight underscores industrial growth’s human cost in mineral-rich Jharkhand—where factories promise prosperity but deliver poisoned air.
