Jajpur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dealt a blow to Visa Steel of Kalinganagar in Jajpur over water and soil pollution, a report said.
The NGT has directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to close down Visa Steel for polluting a creek and farmlands in the area.
The NGT had held a hearing on the petition (19/2019-EZ) August 9, and held that the SPCB is responsible for the release of effluents from Visa Steel into water.
The OSPCB was asked to take action against the company and close it down within two months from the hearing of the case.
The NGT noted that pollution by the company is a crime against society. It also asked OSPCB to impose a fine on the company for polluting soil, water and air.
The NGT also made it clear that if OSPCB fails to take action against the company, disciplinary action will be taken against its officials. Penalty will also be imposed on them, it added.
It may be noted that the Kalinganagar Pareibesa Surakhya Samiti had approached the NGT, accusing the Visa Steel of releasing effluents to Gandanala and farmlands.
The Samiti had furnished clippings of media reports, copies of SPCB directives and video clippings.
The NGT felt that the effluent treatment plant of Visa Steel was not working properly, as effluents are released outside.
The NGT had directed OSPCB April 9 to submit a detailed report on the pollution and take action by June 10. But OSPCB did not follow the NGT order. The NGT expressed displeasure at OSPCB over this.
The OSPCB came to know that effluents were being released through a culvert from the plant July 24. A sample of the water was collected. On testing, harmful elements like cyanide and chromium were detected.
OSPCB also found that its ambient air quality system was not working. The pollution watchdog had not taken any action, except issue a show-cause notice to the company.
Presidents of the Samiti, Aswini Kumar Dhal said the SPCB has no master plan to control pollution in Kalinganagar. He welcomed the NGT order.
OSPCB Regional Officer Pramod Kumar Behera said that steps will be taken as per the NGT order.
PNN