Hindalco moves court against closure order of its Kolhapur bauxite mine for alleged violation of Air act

Hindalco Industries has moved the Bombay high court against a Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) order directing it to shut down its bauxite mine at Dhangarwadi in Kolhapur district for alleged violation of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. On November 29, the court stayed the pollution control board’s order until 11 December.

“We are inclined to grant ad interim relief to the petitioner as the petitioner’s unit at Dhangarwadi is directed to be closed with immediate effect,” said the division bench of the Bombay high court. This means the company is expected to get a temporary relief from the court.

Hindalco was ordered immediate closure of the bauxite unit by the MSPCB on 27 November.  The board also ordered disconnection of water and electricity supply to the site.

Hindalco argued that the MSPCB had violated natural justice by not giving any chance to the firm for putting up their viewpoints. The even denied receiving any a show cause notice issued by the regulator on 16 November.

The counsel for Hindalco added that a firm can appeal to the National Green Tribunal against any order passed under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, but such option is not there for any order passed under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. He said the company was left with no option but to approach the high court.

Bauxite is used as raw material for manufacturing aluminium. With a consolidated turnover of US$18 billion, Hindalco has captive bauxite mines in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha other than the Kolhapur mine.

The court also granted time to the pollution control authority’s lawyer to file a reply to the claims of the company. No further official detail has been available on the matter from Hindalco and MSPCB.