Koppal, 24 Feb

A massive protest was held in the Koppal district as farmers opposed the expansion of the Baldota Factory, saying that the existing steel plant has already caused immense environmental and agricultural harm.

Dust and smoke from the factory have been destroying the local system, they said, as a bandh was observed in several parts of the districts.

Farmers from the Halivarthi area brought bullock carts loaded with withered crops as the demonstrators marched from the Gavi Mut and proceeded through the city’s major roads. Along with farmers, seers have also spearheaded the movement.

The protest procession featured more than 50 tractors, over 20 bullock carts, and hundreds of bikes in a rally.

EMPTY CRADLES AND OXYGEN MASKS

In a striking form of protest, several women carried empty cradles, alleging that pollution from the factories has led to infertility and miscarriages.

Some women "claimed they had suffered abortions and lamented that they were unable to bear children due to the toxic environment."

Manjunath, a farmer from Hirebaganal, also wore an oxygen mask during the protest, highlighting the impact of air pollution. Protesters also carried out a mock funeral.

OLD PROTEST, NEW FLAME

The stir against the Baldota Factory is not new. On 24 February, 2025, a similar bandh was organised under the leadership of Sri Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji. The concerns were the same: factories around Koppal were damaging the environment and air quality. The District Bachao Andolana Samiti and environmental protection groups carried out a continuous protest for 116 days.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backed the locals’ concerns and questioned why the Centre had given the environmental clearance for the factory after various district representatives across party lines met him.

However, at the 2025 Global Investors Meet in Bengaluru, the Baldota Group announced plans to invest Rs 54,000 crore to establish an integrated steel plant under its subsidiary, Baldota Steel and Power Ltd (BSPL) in Kopal taluk.  The plant aims to have an annual production capacity of 10.5 million tonnes.

Organisers of the Koppal District Conveners Bachao Movement (Save Koppal Movement) and Environmental Protection Forum told Salar News that were opposing the expansion of the Baldota plant.

“The protest, led by the Joint Action Forum, demands that 44.35 acres of Basapur Lake be kept open for public use and new factories be stopped," noted activist Allamaprabhu Bettaduru and organisers Mallikarjun B Gonab and Manjunath G Gondaval said.

The Baldota Group was established in 1961 by Abheraj Hirachand Baldota. Narendrakumar A Baldota serves as the Chairman and Managing Director, and Rahul Kumar Baldota and Shrenik Kumar N Baldota serve as the Joint Managing Directors.