Pollution board serves closure notice on Bhushan plant in Sambalpur

OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Sep 18

The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has served closure notice on Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL) at Thelkoli in Sambalpur district.

Under Section of 31 A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and Section 33A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the OSPCB has asked Sambalpur district Collector to ensure closure of direct reduced iron (DRI) plants 3 and 4, the 60 MW FBC boiler and electric arc furnace.

BPSL’s integrated steel plant at Thelkoli in Sambalpur district produces sponge iron through DRI kiln, coal washery, captive power plant, coke oven plant, and cold rolling mill.

A team of the green body, in a surprise inspection of the plant on the midnight of May 1, 2013, had examined the operational status and efficacy of pollution control devices and had found several non-compliances of directions under Section 31 A of Air (P&CP) Act, 1981 and Section 33A of Water (P&CP) Act, 1974.

The plant was ordered by the OSPCB to rectify lapses and not to resume operations of DRI 3 and 4, 60 MW FBC boiler and electric arc furnace. The company responded to the board’s direction stating that all action had been taken to comply with the orders.

However, regional officer of OSPCB, Sambalpur again inspected the plant site on July 2 and 3 and found recurrence of violation of pollution norms, including heavy air pollution.

“Facts and observations lead to the conclusion that the company has grossly failed to manage the problems of environmental pollution within the plant site and also failed to keep commitments made through affidavits,” noted OSPCB’s closure notice.

The notice directs the company to shut down DRI kiln 6, 9 and 10 and 130 mw FBC boiler (unit-II) forthwith and take appropriate actions to remove the defects in electro static precipitators (ESPs) and process equipment to the satisfaction of OSPCB and get prior approvals for restart of those units.