Chennai: Prof T. Swaminathan, a former Neeri scientist along with Nityanand Jayaraman, Chennai-based social activist, on Thursday met journalists to convey Sterlite’s propaganda in running advertisements in newspapers and media claiming that the plant was legal, zero liquid discharge and non-polluting, amongst others.
The first of Sterlite’s claims that Nityanand said was false was that the smelter had less than 60 per cent of land required to accommodate a plant of its size- 1,200 tonne. Sterlite obtained a license to expand based on a false claim that it has 172.17 hectares, while it only has 102.3, he said. Another is that the size of chimneys was short and we’re according to the height prescribed by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).
Prof. Swaminathan said that the smelter chimney should at least be 102.8 meters. However, it is only 60 meters. Within the acid plant, too, it is only 60 meters when it should be at least 83.5 meters.
Because of the short chimneys, the pollutions levels in Thoothukudi increased, says Nityanand. According to calculations made and verified by Prof Swaminathan, emissions from the plant directly result in a maximum concentration of sulphur dioxide of 120 micrograms/m3 at a distance of 1.6 km and emissions from the smelter would be 104 micrograms/m3 at a distance of 811 metres.
However, Sterlite continues to claim that it has adhered to all the norms and legally functioned since its inception. The land wasn’t inadequate, they say, and that the remaining land was only required for future solid waste storage facilities and was not an immediate necessity.
“The plant’s pollution control equipment facilities and solid waste storage practices were inspected and found adequate by both NEERI in 2011 and by NGT Expert Committee in 2013,” a representative, said quashing the claims that their waste was not being managed properly.
Also arguing against the allegations on the chimney’s height, Sterlite said “The entire allegation on short chimney is based on the wrong assumption of SO2 emission norm of 4 KG / tonne of Sulphuric Acid, whereas with superior technology like high-efficiency catalyst and Tail Gas Scrubbing unit, Sterlite is able to achieve an SO2 emission of much less than 1 KG/tonne of Sulphuric acid produced in the Sulphuric acid plant facilities.”
