By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: CPCB has issued an immediate closure order to Shyam Metalics & Energy Limited’s (also called Shyam Metaliks Ltd) integrated steel plant at Pandloi village, Rengali (Sambalpur district), Odisha.
The order was issued on 3 April 2026 under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for serious and repeated environmental violations. The plant must remain shut until full compliance is achieved and prior approval is obtained from CPCB. District administration teams have started sealing the unit.
Key Violations (from March 17-18, 2026 inspection and earlier notices)
Air pollution: Particulate matter (PM) emissions from stacks reached up to 268 mg/Nm³ (permissible limit: 50 mg/Nm³). Inadequate/non-functional fume extraction systems, pollution control equipment, and monitoring led to heavy fugitive dust escaping the plant.
Water pollution & wastewater: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system bypassed; wastewater flowing outside the plant boundary through drains and a damaged wall. No functional sewage treatment plant (STP) as required under consent conditions.f9fbef
Hazardous waste mismanagement: Over 50 drums of hazardous waste (tarry residues, oil-contaminated materials) stored openly without labelling, containment, or safeguards — risking soil and groundwater contamination.59d06e
Unauthorized operations: Running an unauthorised slag crushing plant and other units without proper approvals or updated emission configurations.
Regulatory non-compliance: Failure to submit mandatory reports, including the annual ash audit. Ignored earlier CPCB directions issued in May 2025.
What the company must do now
Submit a detailed compliance report to CPCB within 30 days. Rectify all violations (pollution control systems, waste management, approvals, etc.).
Operations cannot resume without written prior approval from CPCB. Further legal action is likely if the report is not submitted or compliance is not achieved.
