December 02, 2008

Closure notice served on 5 sponge iron plants in Orissa

SNS reported that Orissa Pollution Control Board has decided to close down 5 sponge iron plants in the mining town of Keonjhar in Orissa for creating excessive pollution. The authorities have also directed concerned units to stop the supply of iron ores and coal
The firms are
1. BK Steel
2. Grewal Associates
3. Deepak Steel & Power
4. Hima Ispat
5. Sponge Division of Rungta Mines.

The report cited some sources as saying that these plants are not implementing the required measures to check pollution.

The local people allege that most of the companies here are creating pollution. They said “There is nobody to ensure that if the pollution control machinery in these industries are functioning or not. Apart from these 5 sponge iron plants, there are many more units defying the pollution checking norms. Nuisance of these 5 units is just tip of the iceberg and thorough investigation by the pollution board would unearth more such plants.”

Some complain that the erring industries get prior information of the pollution board staff visits, as the units are located in deep forest and connected through dilapidated roads.