OSPCB Issues Notices To Coal India For Flouting Environmental Norms

New Delhi: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued notices to two Coal India mines over non-compliance on environmental norms, according to a report published by Reuters on Friday.

The notices were issued to the Samleswari and Lajkura open-cast mines in Jharsuguda in July and August following inspections that revealed a defunct sludge treatment plant in one of the mines and inadequate water sprinkling systems, among other things.

According to OSPCB, coal fire was noticed in one of the mines and the firefighting measures were left a lot to be desired.

“If the cause shown in the reply is found not to be satisfactory, appropriate action shall be initiated without any further notice,” the OSPCB said in the notice to Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, a Coal India unit.

Shares of Coal India dipped on the news, before recovering to close 1 per cent up at Rs 286.55.

Coal India said the issues had either been rectified or were in the process of being rectified.

An operations official at the 15 million tonne Samleswari mine told Reuters that a hearing with the pollution regulator is due to take place in 15 days and that the mine’s management is confident that it would be able to satisfy environmental requirements.

State-run power plants in Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, as well as companies such as Vedanta and Bhushan Steel, depend on the mine, the official added.