TNPCB directs closure of Sterlite plant

This move comes after an inspection carried out by the Joint Chief Environmental Engineer of Tirunelveli on May 18 and 19, where it was found that the unit was carrying out activities to resume its production operation and recommended for the issue of direction for closure and disconnection of the power supply to the unit. 

Under the Section 33A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Section 31A (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Board's missive, issued on Wednesday, stated, "The unit shall not resume its production operation without obtaining prior approval/renewal of consent from the Board." 

The Board had directed for the disconnection of power supply to the plant, which was implemented on Thursday morning. 

The directive also recognised that Sterlite's application for renewal of consent to operate (CTO) for the year 2018-2023 has been rejected by the board in April due to non compliance of certain conditions imposed in the previous renewal of CTO order. 

The Sterlite copper smelter and its history of environmental violations had been the centre of massive public protests in Thoothukudi, which saw 11 people being killed in the Police firing carried out on Tuesday, bringing the city into a lockdown.