Sterlite Copper plant will be closed permanently: Thoothukudi DM

Sandeep Nanduri, Collector of Thoothukudi on Monday informed that Vedanta Limited owned Sterlite Copper plant will be closed permanently.

Addressing the media here, he said, "Removal of waste from the Sterlite plant will be stopped. The plant will be closed permanently and no work will be done. The police force deployed near the plant will be gradually reduced."

His statement came after the Supreme Court on Monday set aside National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order of December 15, 2018, which had allowed Vedanta Limited owned Sterlite Copper plant at Thoothukudi to reopen.

The apex court said NGT did not have jurisdiction to entertain Vedanta's appeals against Tamil Nadu government.

In addition, the judicature has also asked CBI to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the police firing that killed 13 persons during the anti-Sterlite Copper plant protest last year.

The bench further stated that Vedanta has the liberty to approach the Madras High Court with its plea for reopening of the plant.

The court was hearing a plea by Vedanta group seeking a direction to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to implement the NGT order which had set aside the government's decision to close the plant.

The state government had closed the Vedanta's Copper plant six days after 13 people were killed in police firing against people who were protesting against the plant on grounds that it polluted the environment.

Vedanta had also approached the apex court accusing Tamil Nadu government of delaying implementation of NGT's order that allowed its Thoothukudi plant to reopen.