THOOTHUKUDI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has appointed a three-member committee headed by former Meghalaya high court chief justice, Tarun Agarwal, to visit the Sterlite copper smelter plant here this week, said district collector Sandeep Nanduri, on Monday.
Stating that he had information about the committee’s visit which will have one representative each from the Central pollution control board and the Union ministry of environment and forests, Mr. Sandeep said that the date of visit is yet to be decided. “They may visit the factory site and villages around to collect technical data,” added the collector.
The NGT directed inspection has given hope for Sterlite authorities, since they complain that their views and explanation on the issue was not given its due by the Tamil Nadu government.
The government was carried away by the mob fury and had ordered permanent closure of the plant, they say. On the other hand, anti-Sterlite groups are unhappy that the NGT has not complied with their demand of appointing a retired High court Judge from Tamil Nadu.
Activists also suspect the intention of the Central government, based on a study conducted by the central ground water board on contamination of ground water in Thoothukudi, was biased in favour of the copper smelter plant management.
