Sterlite says it has sought TNPCB permission for reopening

Vedanta group company Sterlite Thursday said it has sought permission from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for reopening its copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, the move coming days after the National Green Tribunal set aside a state government order for its closure.

Sterlite Chief Executive Officer P Ramnath said after getting the TNPCB permission, it would take about two months for making the plant operational.

"We have already approached the TNPCB. As per the NGT order, they (TNPCB) have been given three weeks to renew the consent. We have also made our request to the TNPCB," he told reporters here.

The state government had, on May 28, ordered the TNPCB to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns.

On an appeal by the company, the NGT on December 15 quashed the order, holding that it was "non-sustainable" and "unjustified".

The state government had said it would file an appeal in the Supreme Court even as opposition parties faulted it for the development.

Ramnath claimed that the company had been receiving "massive support" from locals for reopening the plant.

"...we have been receiving massive support from (people of) around 15 villages," he said.

The CEO said around Rs 100 crore would be spent in Tuticorin towards funding infrastructure schemes, an offer the company's counsel made before the NGT during the hearing.

Saying that the plant was inaccessible for the past six months, Ramnath said, "We have to be given permission to enter the premises. For the last 6 months, there has been no steps taken towards 'care and maintenance'...We will take some time...around two months(to reopen the plant)."