Steel kilns closed for violating pollution norms

Bhushan Steel Limited, which is setting up a 1.5 million tonne steel plant at Meramundali in Dhenknal district, has closed down two of its four sponge iron making kilns following public agitation over pollution.

People of about 15 villages surrounding the Bhushan steel plant had laid seize of the plant on Thursday demanding closure of all the running four kilns.

They accused the plant authorities of polluting air and water in the area.

Interestingly, though the state pollution control board (SPCB) and the concerned revenue divisional commissioner in their respective reports had mentioned about spreading of pollution by the BSL's sponge iron making units and the captive power plant, no action had been initiated against the company by the state government.

The plant authorities were carrying on with the production though the people of the area had resorted to agitation several times in the past. Particularly, during the last monsoon, they complained of flooding of their agricultural lands with ash and coal water from the plant.

The state pollution control board authorities could not help the people much as whatever measures they took were revoked immediately under duress from the powers that be.

As the blockade by hundreds of irate villagers continued for 8 long hours on Thursday, the district and PCB authorities announced closure of four kilns till anti-pollution measures are adopted by Bhushan authorities. But in reality, only two kilns, number 3 and 4 were shut down leaving the other two kilns still running.

The plant authorities, who are setting up a 1.5 million tonne capacity steel plant, plan to construct a total of 10 kilns to produce sponge iron. So far four kilns have started producing sponge while other two are under advanced stage of construction.

These kilns, according to informed sources, are producing at 60 to 70 per cent of their capacity. The total capacity of one kiln is 350 tonnes per day.

It may be noted BSL has remained in the line of fire of the local people, be it on land acquisition, rehabilitation or pollution, ever since it started its construction work three years ago.

Unlike the other industries operating in the area, the resentment among the people against BSL is particularly high due to anti-local policy of the plant authorities, sources pointed out.