Ambuja Cements, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, plans to increase its production capacity to 140 million tonnes by 2027-28. As part of this plan, the company is seeking to expand the limestone mines at its Adani Ambuja Cement factory in the Sunnampahad area of erstwhile Nalgonda district. However, the expansion plan has faced opposition from local residents and environmental activists.
The Public Hearing held to gather public opinion on the proposal was met with widespread protests. Local residents and farmers expressed strong opposition to the expansion, citing concerns about air and water pollution, which are already affecting agricultural operations and livelihoods. Many farmers lamented that their crops are already impacted by dust and ash from existing factory operations.
The protesters demanded that the Pollution Control Board reconsider the proposal and prioritize the protection of the environment and local community. The concerns are not limited to environmental impact, but also the potential destruction of agricultural livelihoods and damage to the traditional weaving and sheep-rearing practices of the local communities.
Environmental activists and political leaders have supported the protests, calling for the withdrawal of the factory plans. The expansion has been opposed at a similar site in Ramannapet, Yadadri-Bhongir district, earlier in October 2024. The public hearing held in 2024 witnessed strong opposition and clashes between the police and protestors.