Vedanta aluminium smelter expansion plan obstructed by ‘Odisha High Court’ on environmental ground

The leading aluminium producer of India, Vedanta’s aluminium smelter expansion plan in Jharsuguda has been obstructed by Odisha High Court on the environment clearance grounds.

The mining and metal company based in India is projected to augment its annual production capacity from 16 lakh MT to 18 lakh MT and captive power plant (CPP) capacity to 1,215 megawatts and for this reason, the land required to be acquired in Brundamal, Katikela, Purna and Kurebaga.

However, the land acquisition procedure has been intertwined in a legal dispute over the public hearing for the project. Although, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board has held a public hearing to hear the grievances of the people to be impacted in regards to the expansion of the aluminium smelter, as the disputes were raised over effectiveness on grounds of low participants.

Two residents from one of the villages anticipated to be affected had sought HC intervention for the second time by way of a writ appeal. On 15^th December 2021, when the matter was taken upon, it was highlighted that no environment clearance has been granted in favour of Vedanta Limited for the expansion project.

Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice AK Mohapatra bench issued notice to the member secretary of State Pollution Control Board and posted the matter to January 10 for hearing along with the response.

The bench stated in the interim order: “In these circumstances, it is directed that if no environment clearance has been granted as of today, it shall not be granted till next date.”