Madras HC reserves verdict on Sterlite closure plea

Vaiko, in his petition, had stated that the operation license of Sterlite Copper, located in Meelavittan village near Thoothukudi, issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had expired on March 31 and because of industrial wastes from Sterlite Copper water, land and air in Meelavittan and its neighbouring villages were polluted badly.

Because of the high levels of pollution, children and women in the villages surrounding Sterlite Copper were affected with various diseases. Under the circumstances Sterlite Copper had started to expand their company but had not obtained proper permission from the state and the Union governments.

Now, people affected by Sterlite Copper have taken to streets and are continuing their protests in various forms against the company demanding its permanent closure. The residents fear that if expansion of Sterlite Copper happens the plant would manufacture 8 lakh tonnes of copper every year and it will cause irreparable damage not just to them but also to agricultural land.

Further, Sterlite Copper did not conduct any public hearing to expand their plant though it is mandatory. Also Sterlite Copper is situated within 5 km radius of at least five islands in the Bay of Bengal and it is situated in a prohibited area. The unit, classified under RED industries, cannot be allowed to run in the prohibited area at the risk of lives of large extent of population of Thoothukudi.

Also a company classified under RED industries category functioning near thickly populated area is violation of Article 21 of Right to Life. So the High Court should pass orders to the state and Union governments, under Writ of Mandamus, to stop issuing consent to Stelite Copper and to close down the plant permanently, prayed Vaiko.

As the arguments in the case had been completed the verdict was reserved.