Bhopal’s sawmill problem unresolved for 50 years:Administration focuses on clearing metro route; 23 sawmills to be shifted out of city

In Bhopal, the problem of shifting sawmills is still not fully solved. Instead of a full city plan, the work is only being done where the metro project is affected. The 1975 Master Plan had said sawmills should be moved from the whole city, but even after 50 years, only those coming in the metro’s Orange Line are being shifted. Recently, the District Industries Centre gave LOIs to 23 operators, but around 100 sawmills will remain in the city. These sawmills are spread across old Bhopal, including Barkhedi–Pul Bogda (where there are more than 50 machines), Aishbagh–Pul Patra, Bharat Talkies, and Jahangirabad–Jinsi areas. These areas are crowded and have narrow roads, so they are called ‘danger zones.’ But the shifting work keeps getting delayed. About 40% of sawmills are on government land, so giving compensation is also difficult. Why is shifting necessary?: Located in densely populated areas, roads are also narrow. Matter stuck because: 40% of sawmills are on government land, making compensation difficult. Only plans have been made for 50 years Those who are shifting, their business is ruined Badar-e-Alam, President of the Sawmill Association, says, Only 23 machines are being shifted. Their business is bound to be ruined. If the remaining machines stay here, customers will not go that far. An industrial cluster should be formed by combining everyone. We developed and provided the area Dilip Kumar, Commissioner, MSME, says, The administration had provided the department with a list of units to be displaced and a budget, after which we developed and provided a new area. If there is further demand from the administration, we will create more new areas. Currently, the metro route is our priority Deepak Pandey, SDM (City Circle), says, Currently, the priority is to first shift the operators coming in the metro route. After the first phase of shifting, further efforts will be made to remove the remaining sawmills. Chaitanya Kashyap, Minister, MSME, says, Shifting is done by the administration. Based on the list received from them, an area has been developed outside the city and provided. Currently, there is no plan for shifting the remaining machines. 3 major risks from sawmills 1. Three major fire incidents have occurred
Three major fire incidents have occurred in areas like Aishbagh and Pul Patra in the last year alone. The fire was extinguished with great difficulty here. These areas stock thousands of tons of dry wood in addition to flammable chemicals. Many machines are adjacent to the railway tracks. 2. Poor air quality
A report by the Pollution Control Board states that 67 percent of PM-10 in Bhopal comes from ‘dust’. Sawdust flying from sawmills is also part of this category. The risk of respiratory diseases is up to 30 percent higher in areas like Aishbagh, Jahangirabad, and Pul Bogda. 3. Drainage system choked
Waste from sawmills is thrown into drains. Wood sawdust solidifies upon contact with water and chokes the drainage system. This is a major cause of waterlogging problems every year in low-lying areas like Aishbagh and Pul Bogda.