PTI reported that the Orissa State Pollution Control Board has issued a closure notice to 10 sponge iron units of the Bhusan Group of companies over violation of pollution control norms.

As per report, Bhusan Steel Ltd's plant at Meramandali, in Dhenkanal district, has been directed to close down the operation of six of its eight 500 tonne per day capacity kilns, its coke oven plant and oxygen plant for not conforming to pollution control norms as prescribed by the Pollution Control Board.

Te report quoted Mr Siddhant Das Member Secretary of OSPCB as saying that the closure direction will remain in forces till the company establishes all the pollution control systems prescribed by the board.

The company, he said, had also been asked to stop construction work on the phase-III expansion of its 5.6 million tonnes per annum plant till all statutory clearances have been obtained.

He however said that the company can operate other installations, including its blast furnace.

In a similar action against Bhusan Power & Steel's plant at Rengali, in Sambalpur district, the board also directed it to close down the operation of four of the eight kilns.

Earlier, the board had issued notices to over two dozen sponge iron plants to shut down on the charge of air and water pollution in different districts.

(Sourced from PTI)