Had taken locals into confidence before expansion: Sesa Goa

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) recently ordered stopping of all activities of Sesa Goa's Metallurgical Coke Plant, which was going through expansion phase, following protests by locals.

Villagers on Monday demanded shutdown of the operations at the plant citing rise in pollution.

Denying the allegations, a Sesa Goa spokesman today said the company had started its expansion project after holding extensive discussions and signing a written agreement with public representatives, including MLAs, Navelim village panchayat and even Navelim Temple committee.

Admitting that misfiring of two burners on August 17-18 at the plant caused pollution, the company said, "The burners were immediately set right".

"Sesa Goa remains committed to maintaining highest standards of environmental safeguards and regrets the accidental misfiring," the spokesman said, adding the company is willing to undertake any other practical measures to restore confidence of the local population.

The GSPCB issued the notice following demand of locals to shutdown the operations after growing suspension of black soot in the atmosphere.

The GSPCB had observed that the iron ore producer and exporter has not carried out ambient air quality monitoring since June 2012.

"The continuous ambient air monitoring station has not yet been commissioned," the notice said, adding "the conditions stipulated in the consent to operate orders are not adhered to."