The three-member panel formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to look into Vedanta’s plea challenging the ‘seal and closure’ order of the State government against its subsidiary, Sterlite Copper, made its first visit to Thoothukudi on Saturday.
The panel, led by former Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court Tarun Agrawal, includes Satish C. Garkoti, Scientist, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and H.D. Varalaxmi, Senior Environmental Engineer, Central Pollution Control Board.
The team headed to a patta land near Uppar Odai where copper slag from the plant was allegedly used as landfill; a part of it had also been allegedly dumped on the channel bed. This was one of the grounds cited by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for not renewing the ‘Consent to Operate.’ A retaining wall has been built around the patta land since then.
Other reasons cited by the TNPCB include not furnishing an analysis of heavy metals in the ambient air, not providing a report on groundwater based on samples from borewells within and around the plant, and not constructing a gypsum pond as directed.
Addressing reporters at the airport, Mr. Agrawal said that an inspection of the plant and a public hearing would be held on Sunday.
Replying to a question on visiting villages adjoining the Sterlite plant, he said, “Let’s see, maybe we’ll visit the villages also.” The panel would have to submit a report within six weeks, he added.
Collector Sandeep Nanduri, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Anti-Sterlite People’s Movement convener Fatima Babu, CPI(M) town secretary D. Raja, and others had a discussion with Mr. Agrawal at the site. Advocates representing Sterlite Copper were also present.
On Sunday, the team would inspect the Sterlite Copper plant at 8 a.m., and hold a public hearing at the Government Polytechnic College at 11.30 a.m.
On Monday, the plant would hold a meeting at the NGT, Chennai, where concerned parties and interveners would be heard.
Security was beefed up around the area ahead of the team’s visit. Fire and Rescue Services vehicles and riot control units were kept ready.
