Hanumangarh Ethanol Plant Construction Halted After Violent Farmer Protests: Full Report

In a significant development, the Rajasthan administration has temporarily halted construction of what is billed as Asia's largest grain-based ethanol plant in Hanumangarh district.

This decision comes after violent clashes between farmers and police this week left over 70 people injured, nearly 40 detained, and forced around 30 families near the site to flee their homes.

The agreement to pause the ₹450 crore Dune Ethanol Private Limited project was reached late Thursday night following high-level talks between farmer leaders and district officials.

The company provided a written assurance that work would stop pending a high-level inquiry into the plant's environmental viability.

What Sparked the Violence?

Tensions erupted on December 10th when hundreds of farmers, after a peaceful mahapanchayat (large community meeting), marched to the construction site in Rathikheda village.

Their core demand was a written promise to stop the project, which they fear will pollute air and water and ruin their farmland.

When officials declined, the situation escalated. Protesters used tractors to demolish the boundary wall, set fire to the site office, and torched more than a dozen vehicles, including a police jeep.

Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia was among those who sustained a head injury.

Why Are Farmers So Opposed?

The farmers' resistance, ongoing for over a year, centers on profound fears for their health, land, and livelihood. They argue that similar plants elsewhere have caused unbearable stench and crop failure from contaminated water.

Their concerns tap into a larger national debate. Experts warn that India's aggressive push for 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20), while reducing emissions and oil imports, creates a risky trade-off.

Food vs. Fuel: Critics question the ethics of diverting food grains for fuel in a country with significant hunger. "When India still ranks low on the Global Hunger Index, turning food into fuel could be a grave ethical... error," notes farmer leader Nand Kashyap.

Water Scarcity: Producing ethanol from water-intensive crops like rice in already stressed regions could worsen groundwater depletion.

Market Distortion: The government's purchase of grains for ethanol can distort crop patterns, potentially discouraging the cultivation of essential pulses and oilseeds.

A National Goal, A Local Conflict

The Dune Ethanol plant is a direct contributor to the central government's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, which aims to cut carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependence. While the Hanumangarh district collector states the plant has all mandatory approvals, protesters insist it lacks a crucial "social license" from the community.

The issue has become politically charged, with Congress leaders supporting the farmers and BJP state ministers accusing the opposition of a political ploy.

What's Next?

While construction is on hold, the conflict is not over. Farmer groups have announced a grand panchayat on December 17, where prominent leaders like Rakesh Tikait are expected to join. They continue to demand the plant's complete removal and the withdrawal of cases against protesters.

The standoff in Hanumangarh highlights the growing challenge of implementing national energy and climate policies at the local level, where communities bear the immediate environmental cost. The promised government inquiry will be a critical next step in resolving this deeply polarized issue.