At least three sponge iron plants under Bonei sub-division of Sundargarh district were served closure notices while another eight sponge iron plants of the same locality have been asked to comply with several points, within a fortnight, by the pollution officials.
The action has been initiated following report of a four-member joint inspection team. Following road blockades in last month by hundreds of locals of Kendrikala area under Bonei sub division, alleging rise of pollution by the sponge iron plants of the locality, the district administration had formed the four -member committee and asked them to submit a status report, after inspecting these units.
"Since, major violations were found in three sponge iron plants, we served closure notice to them where as compliance notices to other eight plants were served with an ultimatum of fifteen days to comply their deficiencies," said Regional Officer, SPCB, Rourkela, Hemendra Nayak. The units, which have been served closure notices are BR Sponge and Power ltd Ores Ispat Private ltd and Maa Mansa Devi Alloys Private ltd," Nayak added.