Vedanta steps in it again

Vedanta, the company who wants 6000 acres for a piddly university (my own institution University of Toronto's main campus is around 200 acres only with a student population of nearly 70,000) shows its real, irresponsible face again. This time- surprise, surprise - it is our Pollution Control Board- which has issued a show cause notice to Vedanta's massive aluminium smelter and power plant in Jharsuguda. I wonder how a company which can't manage its ESP and ETP can claim to propose to run a world class University. Or maybe it is too costly to even meet the paltry standards demanded by the Pollution Control Board.

Its also nice to see one newspaper and a reporter who is willing to report the reality about Vedanta. I hope this will continue.

The link for the news article is

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Pollution+board+slaps+show-cause+on+VAL&artid=OeD86OBvyas=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=

Pollution Control Board slaps notice on VAL

The New Indian Express

First Published : 22 Jul 2009 03:30:00 AM IST

Last Updated : 22 Jul 2009 11:13:30 AM IST

SAMBALPUR: Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), Jharsuguda, has been issued with show-cause notice by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for violating various sections of water and air pollution Acts. The notice has been issued to CEO and whole-time Director of VAL M Siddiqi after VAL failed to rectify anomalies regarding pollution as pointed out by the Regional Officer of SPCB Sitikanta Sahu during his visit to the plant in April. VAL had promised time-bound compliance against each issue by June 30. But during inspection on June 12, substantial emission was observed in Captive Power Plant (CPP) stack.

It was also found that rectification of ESP system toreduce emission levels had not been undertaken nor land for construction of permanent ash pond acquired. Moreover, conventional method of transportation of ash slurry was being followed and a breach in the dyke of ash pond had occurred posing serious threat to both the ash pond and the nearby Kharkhari nullah.

It was also found that Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) of the smelter plant was not commissioned and effluent was released into Kharkhari nullah without any treatment to contain fluoride which was in excess of the prescribed limit. Environmentally sound practice was not followed towards handling and management of fluoride contaminated hazardous waste materials posing threat to surface run-off contamination during monsoon.

Several lapses like bad house-keeping in Coal Handling Plant (CHP) area, absence of proper handling system for bottom ash, existence of bypass water pipeline near recirculation of cooling water of a cast house, non- existence of garland drains in carbon area, no plantation alongside the plant boundary in carbon area, tardy progress towards construction of secured land-fill site, continuance of ash dumping at the bank of Kharkhari Nullah and non-installation of sewage treatment plant for treatment of domestic waste were also observed contributing to the problems of pollution.

The same problems existed when the SPCB officer visited the plant again in the first week of July. Maintaining that VAL has grossly failed to implement the action plan submitted by it to contain pollution, the SPCB has sought a reply in the stipulated period and if not found satisfactory action under appropriate provisions of Water (PCP) Act and Air (PCP) Act will be initiated. VAL has also been offered personal hearing on July 23.

Note on Environmental Impact of Industrialisation in Sambalpur-Jharsuguda Region by Chairman, Orissa Pollution Control Board

The Chairman, Orissa Pollution Control Board, paints a scary scenario of the environmental impacts of the proposed industrial investments in the Sambal-Jharsuguda region in Orissa. Some quotes:

"In Jharsuguda region if all the proposed aluminium smelter capacities would be made operational the emission of fluoride will remain in the range of 250-360 kg/hr, and it would severely  affect the agriculture more frequently and the forest around the smelters may even get wiped out permanently." 

On Water situation, he has this to say "Present level of water drawl will increase 20 times to 2143 MLD...The runoff in this region is likely to be contaminated with fluoride since the smelter in this region would annually consume about 80,000 tons of fluoride bearing materials. Considering 1% spillage and related loss, about 800 tones of these materials may be washed into the reservoir. Besides 3160 tons of fluoride will be emitted through stack room and pot room emission, even when it remaining with permissible limit. Similarly, 1,26,000 tons of fluoride bearing hazardous waste would be generated in this region annually, which puts the reservoir under significant risk of fluoride contamination. Fluoride level of more than 1.5 mg/l in water is known to cause fluorosis, a deadly disease for which there is no cure, if contaminated water is consumed for a prolonged period. In areas around NALCO (whose present capacity is 10% of what is proposed in Jharsuguda) signs of dental fluorosis in bovine population have been documented. In the event, if Hirakud reservoir gets contaminated with fluoride, fluorosis may attain a dimension of epidemic in this region and beyond."

On solid waste "This means in 20 years. 13000ha. of land would be converted to waste disposal site around the Hirakud reservoir"

On Greenhouse emission and heat island effect "Thus, the ambient temperature in this region is likely to be at least 2-3 degree Celsius higher than its neighbourig countryside."

This was a two page note- conveying some bitter truth to the people of Sambalpur-Jharsuguda of what waits for them in future. Please see the note at  http://www.freewebs.com/epgorissa/Note%20on%20Environmental%20Impact.doc

Kundan