Six sponge iron units slapped closure notice

BHUBANESWAR: Cracking the whip on sponge iron units for not complying with the pollution control norms, the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued closure notice to six units. Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra told mediapersons 74 more units have been put under notice. This directive comes close on the heels of the shutdown notice to four units of NTPC’s Talcher Super Thermal Power Station (TSTPS), Kaniha. Closure notice has been issued to Ores Ispat Pvt Limited at Bonai, Pawanjaya Sponge Iron Ltd at Bijabahal, Rexon Strips Kumakela in Sundargarh district, Aditya Sponge and Power, Telkoi, OMDC Sponge Iron Plant Thakurani in Keonjhar, Bindal Sponge Iron and Sunakhani in Angul district. Of the 109 sponge iron plants in nine districts of the State, only 29 have fully complied with the direction of the board while 69 are in the process of installing the pollution major equipment. The Minister said six weeks time has been given to the remaining 74 sponge iron units to integrate pollution control mechanism in their plants failing which steps will be taken for closure.  The Government has engaged IIT, Kharagpur for assessment of the pollution measures adopted by the sponge iron units. After evaluating 104 units, the institute reported that only 29 of them have fully complied with the norms of OSPCB. Most of the plants have installed electro-static precipitators (ESPs). But many of the units were found wanting in upgrading bag filter and installing pneumatic dust handling system (PDHS). The pollution control board has asked these units to comply with all the control norms within the stipulated time or face the music. This will be applicable to the five units not covered by IIT, Kharagpur, said member-secretary Siddhanta Dash.