By Our Correspondent
BONAI/KOIRA/BHUBANESWAR: Over 6,000 workers working in as many as 22 Sponge Iron Plants in Sundargarh in Odisha is expected to be affected due to the month-long closure of the sponge iron plants in view of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023.
Sponge Iron units of Shri Ganesh Metalics, , Pawanjay Sponge Iron Ltd, Adhunik Metalics, Swastik Ispat, Thakur Prasad Sao & Sons, Khederia Ispat , Sai Shraddha Steel, Reliable Sponge, Sri Mahavir Ferro Alloys, Bajrangbali Sponge and Power Ltd, Rourkela Sponge, Meta Sponge, Puja Songe, Times Steel and Power and Utkal Metalics Ltd, have been asked to shut their plants.
Odisha State Pollution Control Board has directed 22 sponge iron factories to shut down in order to maintain a clean environment during the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023, several matches of which will be played at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium. The move was intended to keep the environment around Stadium free of pollution during the tourney.
OSPCB directed the sponge iron factories in Kalunga and Kuanrmunda industrial estates to stop the operation till the Hockey World Cup is over next year.
It may be noted that recently, officials had sealed Swastik Ispat Pvt Ltd located at Kuanramunda and Ores Ispat Private Limited located at Bonai , both under Sundargarh district. Show cause Notices were also served on SN Mohanty at Bonai block, Mahakali Sponge, IDC Kalunga Shri Mahavir Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd for pollution. Sources said, these companies have been violating pollution control act of 1986, air pollution control act of 1981, water pollution control act of 1974 and forest rights act of 1980.
The firms have been violating forest and wildlife laws .They also creating air and water pollution while defying orders of Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Union Forest and Environment Ministry. Action should have taken against these companies under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Odisha Forest Act-1972 and Mines and Minerals Act , sources said.
