Vedanta Group’s Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin to remain shut, orders Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the National Green Tribunal’s order and said that Vedanta Group-owned Sterlite Plant located in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin will remain shut. On December 15 last year, the NGT had allowed mining major to reopen the Sterlite Plant. The top court has asked Tamil Nadu government and Vedanta to approach Madras High Court on the issue. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday allowed mining major Vedanta to access the administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

In its December 15 order, the National Green Tribunal had overturned Tamil Nadu government’s order and said that the plant’s closure was "non sustainable" and "unjustified".

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson A K Goel asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to pass a fresh order of renewal of consent and authorisation to handle hazardous substances, subject to appropriate conditions for protection of environment in accordance with law within three weeks from Saturday.

At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22 when police had opened fire on a huge crowd of people protesting against environment pollution being allegedly caused by the factory.

(With agency inputs)