The petitioner also sought remedial measures for contamination of soil allegedly due to dumping of copper slag
The petitioner also sought remedial measures for contamination of soil allegedly due to dumping of copper slag
The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted four weeks to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to respond to a writ petition filed by activist Fatima, seeking remedial measures for demolition of the Sterlite copper smelting plant at Thoothukudi and soil contamination. The direction to do so was sought. Allegedly caused by the dumping of copper slag.
Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D. Bharat Chakraborty adjourned the hearing when senior advocate PS Raman, representing Vedanta, claimed that the soil was contaminated due to copper slag and argued that the slag was actually was used for the road. in the fills and cement industry.
He argued that the copper slag was not dangerous at all as claimed by the petitioner and said that this was a major ground that Vedanta had taken before the Supreme Court, where its appeal was based on the closure of the factory by the state government. was done. Alleged environmental pollution, pending at present.
The senior counsel said that the matter filed by the activist can be taken up after the Supreme Court gives its verdict. On the other hand, the counsel for the petitioner A. Yogeshwaran said that he would not insist on the plea for demolition of the copper plant, but only wanted to take remedial measures in respect of the contaminated soil.
He claimed that the level of arsenic in the soil is extremely high and hence, the issue should be addressed immediately.