The residents of Mavoor in Kozhikode are done with a long wait for something useful to happen on 400 acres of land in Mavoor that belonged to the erstwhile Gwalior Rayons (Grasim Industries). In a meeting convened recently by the gram panchayat, it was decided to pursue matters through intense protests and political interference.
It’s been 20 years since the factory closed, as there were widespread protests based on the pollution it caused. Since then, the local people have been demanding to set up pollution-free industries in the now vacant land. But till now nothing has happened.
“Out of 400 acres, 250 acres were acquired by the state government and handed over to Grasim Industries. Most of us contributed land in 1964 to a company that provided employment to about 50,000 people”, said P. Umar, president of Mavoor gram panchayat, who recently chaired an all-party meeting, In which traders and other stakeholders were also involved. To discuss the action plan for Grasim Bhoomi.
“We want the company to either start a new industry there or hand over the land back to the government. If neither of them can think of anything, then we have well educated people in this panchayat who are eager to start industries, if they have enough land”, Mr. Omar said.
Meanwhile, the land in question is now covered with tall trees and shrubs. “We requested the company several times to clear the plot, but to no avail. Drug deals and even murders are taking place in plots where the gram panchayat does not have access”, said the panchayat president.
Mavoor was once the highest revenue panchayat of Kozhikode district. With the closure of the factory and a ban on sand mining, the panchayat is now seeking revenue through tourism projects.
Proposals for two major educational institutions have gone out of hand due to paucity of land and the panchayat feels that access to Grasim land will solve most of its problems.
The panchayat, along with other stakeholders, is now planning to send memoranda to all concerned ministers and MPs, besides marching to the Grasim office to press their demand.