Locals of highly industrialized Hazira want jobs

While Vibrant Gujarat investors summit was at just three days distance, the local villagers of south Gujarat’s highly industrialized Hazira belt held a public rally complaining that the big industries of this area are neglecting the locals, and local linkages are completely lacking.

The rally held at Bhatlai village by Hazira Kantha Vistar Vikas Sahkari Mandli voiced that those poor people whose land was acquired to set up big industries didn’t get job or any other benefit.

The rally was attended by thousands of local villagers. Some of the issues raised were:

-Due to irregular construction and filling by industries, the villages face the problem of water logging in monsoon. There’s no gutter system in villages.

-Industries have not come forward to construct a hospital for locals.

-While local villagers, and educated local youths have to bags for jobs, the laborers from other states are employed in high number.

-Problem of traffic jam has increased due to high number of units in Hazira area.

-Chemical water released directly without treatment has killed fishes in this area. This has affected local fishing community adversely.

-Tena bay bridge is needed, but industries are obstructing this development.

The locals of Hazira have decided to organize a rally starting from Hazira to the district Collector’s office to submit memorandum in this regard. They have also planned road block and strike in next round of agitation.