In the heart of Punjab’s agrarian belt, a fresh flashpoint has emerged between local villagers and industrial interests, this time over a proposed high-capacity cement plant in the Mansa district. The project, spearheaded by JSW Cement, has triggered widespread opposition from farmers and environmental activists, who fear irreversible damage to their land, water, and livelihoods. On the other hand, company representatives and district officials argue that the project could bring much-needed industrial development and employment to the region.
The public resistance became clear during a public hearing held on July 14 in Talwandi Aklia, where hundreds of residents from about 20 nearby villages gathered under the banner of the newly formed ‘Talwandi Morcha’. The meeting, conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), saw overwhelming opposition to the cement plant. Villagers raised strong objections to the environmental implications of the project, particularly pointing to the plant’s classification as a “red-category” industry — a designation given to projects that pose high pollution risks.
Activists and farmers like Manpreet Singh Aklia of the Talwandi Sabo Morcha voiced their concerns openly. “Punjab should be promoting eco-friendly, non-polluting industries such as tourism and agro-based ventures. Instead, we’re facing proposals that put our health and resources at risk,” he stated. Many locals worry about air pollution from cement dust, contamination of groundwater, and the destruction of rural roads due to increased truck traffic carrying raw materials like fly ash from the nearby Banawali thermal plant.
For the farming communities of Talwandi Aklia and neighbouring Karamgarh Autanwali, agriculture is not just a way of life, but the economic backbone of the area. Residents warn that allowing a cement plant in this fertile zone could compromise not only crop health but also the wellbeing of future generations. With one thermal plant already operational nearby, villagers argue that they cannot afford another industrial unit that could exacerbate pollution levels.
The cement company, however, defends its proposal, claiming the project would strictly adhere to environmental norms. Company officials, along with Mansa district administration, emphasized during the hearing that the plant would bring local employment opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development. They also highlighted that around 67 acres of land had already been acquired, including approximately 40 acres reportedly sold by a non-resident Indian who hasn’t visited Punjab in years.
Despite these assurances, skepticism remains high. Activists like Jaskirat Singh of the Public Action Committee (PAC) point to past instances where industrial promises were left unfulfilled. “We’ve seen this before — job assurances rarely materialize, and local communities are left to bear the long-term environmental costs,” he said. The PAC, which had previously led strong resistance against the Mattewara Mega Textile Park and the Ruchira Paper Mill, is now lending its support to the Talwandi Morcha.
Women and youth have also joined the opposition, organizing awareness drives and door-to-door campaigns to mobilize more villagers. Kapil Arora, another PAC member, noted that the resistance is only gaining momentum and that legal action and peaceful protests are being planned.
As of now, the cement plant awaits environmental clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 at the national level. But regardless of what the final decision may be, the ongoing standoff has reignited debates about the future of development in Punjab — and the cost at which it comes.
This unfolding situation underscores the complex balancing act between industrial growth and safeguarding the ecological and agricultural integrity of Punjab. While investment and infrastructure are critical for progress, the concerns of local communities cannot be brushed aside, especially in regions where environmental degradation poses a direct threat to livelihoods.