The Hindu Business Line
Foreign NGOs now target Vedanta's expansion in Odisha
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Vedanta Aluminium's Lanjigarh project in Odisha may become another Kudankulam, as environment activists belonging to foreign non-Government organisations (NGO) have suddenly surfaced to show their concern.
Vedanta Aluminium's plan to expand its annual capacity from 1 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes has been halted due to environmental concerns. The company is now in the process of going for a fresh public hearing on the basis of new terms of reference.
Meanwhile, according to sources, two Australians have forwarded their environmental concerns regarding Vedanta's expansion through the High Commissioner of India in Australia. However, Government sources here refused to comment on the matter.
But, documents with Business Line show that one letter, signed by one Mr J.W. Peter of PF Trust Queensland, Australia, states, “We are writing to you concerning the ongoing threat of pollution from Vedanta Aluminium's red mud pond in Orissa to the downstream villages of Lanjigarh, Bundel and Basanpada.”
It said while the Orissa State Pollution Board had expressed concerns about the pond's design and maintenance during 2007-2009, remedial actions of the company had not been documented and there was continuing concern that a catastrophic failure could occur in the rainy season.
This, and a similar letter by one Ms Helen Findlay, also from Queensland, calls for stopping the expansion of the plan until additional pumping of red mud into the pond is stopped, all environmental issues are addressed and human rights fully respected.
Vedanta's Version
When contacted, the Vedanta spokesperson said such letters are timed to surface just before the matter comes up for hearing in the court.
He added that after thorough investigation of the alleged overflow from the red mud pond in April 2011, the enquiry committee constituted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board had submitted a report stating that ‘no discharge was observed from the red mud pond or water pond or any outlet of the industry to the Bansdhara river'.
These findings were also put up on Web site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Vedanta Aluminium's plan to expand its annual capacity from 1 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes has been halted due to environmental concerns. The company is now in the process of going for a fresh public hearing on the basis of new terms of reference.
Meanwhile, according to sources, two Australians have forwarded their environmental concerns regarding Vedanta's expansion through the High Commissioner of India in Australia. However, Government sources here refused to comment on the matter.
But, documents with Business Line show that one letter, signed by one Mr J.W. Peter of PF Trust Queensland, Australia, states, “We are writing to you concerning the ongoing threat of pollution from Vedanta Aluminium's red mud pond in Orissa to the downstream villages of Lanjigarh, Bundel and Basanpada.”
It said while the Orissa State Pollution Board had expressed concerns about the pond's design and maintenance during 2007-2009, remedial actions of the company had not been documented and there was continuing concern that a catastrophic failure could occur in the rainy season.
This, and a similar letter by one Ms Helen Findlay, also from Queensland, calls for stopping the expansion of the plan until additional pumping of red mud into the pond is stopped, all environmental issues are addressed and human rights fully respected.
Vedanta's Version
When contacted, the Vedanta spokesperson said such letters are timed to surface just before the matter comes up for hearing in the court.
He added that after thorough investigation of the alleged overflow from the red mud pond in April 2011, the enquiry committee constituted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board had submitted a report stating that ‘no discharge was observed from the red mud pond or water pond or any outlet of the industry to the Bansdhara river'.
These findings were also put up on Web site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
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