The production at Mysore Paper Mills (MPM), a public sector undertaking in Bhadravati, has been halted from April 15 owing to the objections raised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on pollution control norms.
The CPCB had ordered the closure of MPM, which has a paper and sugar factory, from December 15, 2014, for its alleged failure to honour pollution control norms. The CPCB pointed out that the prescribed emission standards for coal-fired boilers were not complied with by the firm and had directed for installation of electro-static precipitators to address the problem. The installation of a new flow meter at the inlet and outlet points of effluent treatment plant, providing impervious lining in lagoons for the storage of causticising sludge, installation and commissioning of a lime kiln unit, construction of storm water drainage system at fly ash loading area, and installation of adequate dust suppression system and wind barriers for coal handling area were the other directions issued by the CPCB.
The management of MPM had approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking a stay against the closure order. The MPM had expressed its commitment to the tribunal that it would abide by the guidelines issued by the CPCB. The NGT had granted permission to begin sugar production from January 3. The sugar production had concluded on February 15.
On the request of the MPM, the NGT had granted permission to produce paper at the firm from March 1 to April 15. The tribunal had said that it would send a team of experts for third-party inspection of the measures adopted by the firm to control pollution during this period.
The team will submit its report to NGT on April 20.
According to MPM sources, the NGT will pass its order on resumption of production at the firm on April 24.
The National Green Tribunal will pass its order on resumption of production on April 24
