Economic Times, June 11, 2011
MUMBAI: Less than eight months after putting a blanket ban on a capacity expansion programme by Vedanta Aluminum at Lanjigarh in Orissa, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has cleared antipollution measures taken by the metals major.
A team comprising officials from the ministry and the Orissa State Pollution Control Board visited Vedanta Aluminums refinery at Lanjigarh to inspect the impact from the alleged leakage in an effluent pond after concerns were raised by prominent activist groups such as Amnesty International and other local groups.
The team that inspected the unit said Vedanta Aluminum has implemented environmental practices.
The unit is complying with most of the conditions of the (pollution control) board in respect of air and water pollution and has taken steps to make the pond impervious. But as an abundant precaution to ensure no percolation from the pond, it (Vedanta Aluminum) has been asked to take up complete lining of the cells, said the report.
No discharge was observed from the pond or any outlet of the industry to the nearby Bamsadhara River during the visit, the report added. However, it may be possible that water collected in the centralised collection pit of the red mud pond might get in to the natural water pond during heavy rains.
The waste, a toxic byproduct of bauxite from which aluminum is extracted, is reported to be harmful to people and animals.
No comments:
Post a Comment