Three-member NGT panel inspects Sterlite copper plant unit in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, conducts public hearing

Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu): An expert committee, set up by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to decide on Vedanta’s plea challenging closure of its Sterlite copper plant, Sunday inspected the unit in Tuticorin and held a public hearing. [caption id=“attachment_4480745” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Sterlite Industries Ltd’s copper plant in Tuticorin. Reuters[/caption] The hearing was marked by some tense moments as a group of people attempted to assault another group which sought re-opening of the unit. However, police intervened and restored order. After the session, the committee headed by former Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Tarun Agrawal, said majority of the representations were for closure of the unit. “We will study the representations and take further course of action,” Agarwal told reporters. Earlier on Sunday, the three-member panel set up by NGT inspected the Sterlite Copper unit, which was closed by the Tamil Nadu government on 28 May on environment grounds in the wake of protests by locals. The committee members were accompanied by District Collector Sandeep Nanduri and Superintendent of Police Murali Ramba. The expert committee checked the quality of water at T Kumaragiri tank and visited A Kumarattiyapuram village and held discussions with its residents on the impact of copper plant on the environment. A large posse of police personnel were deployed around the plant during the inspection.