RSP shuts down two units after OSPCB order

The Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has shut down one of its sinter plant and a boiler of its captive power plant (CPP) as the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) denied the steel making unit to give any more time to operate these plant.

“RSP has complied with the directive of SPCB and has shut down the Sinter Plant-I and MP Boiler-3 of CPP-I,” said a statement from the company.

On December 19, the OSPCB had ordered the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) unit to close units of its captive power plant (CPP) and sinter plant for violating environmental norms. The stern action was taken after the steel producer failed to take necessary measures to control pollution from these units.

The RSP authority had then requested for some more time to take corrective action.

RSP has currently has two sintering units. These units were built during the initial phase construction and did not have necessary technology to reduce pollution. Even though RSP has been aggressively expanding its capacity along with new climate-friendly technology in the second phase, it did not have plans to upgrade these units. RSP clarified that it has already taken steps to reduce pollution levels. It also requested the government to reconsider their decision citing that the plant cannot sustain production for long if these two units are closed.