National Green Tribunal
Sudhansu Sekhar Patra & Ors vs State Of Odisha on 18 July, 2025
Item No.10 Court No.1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
EASTERN ZONE BENCH, KOLKATA
(THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING WITH HYBRID MODE)
Original Application No.165/2023/EZ
Sudhansu Sekhar Bastia & Ors. Applicant(s)
Versus
Odisha State Pollution Control Board & Ors. Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 18.07.2025
Date of uploading: 25.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B. AMIT STHALEKAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. ARUN KUMAR VERMA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s) : None
For Respondent(s) : Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh, Adv. for R-1,
Mr. Debashis Tripathy, AGA for R-2 & 4 (in Virtual Mode),
Mr. Ashok Prasad, Adv. for R-3,
Mr. Pinaki Misra, Sr. Adv. a/w
Ms. Aparajita Rao, Adv. for R-8, 11 & 13 (in Virtual Mode),
Mr. Sanwal Tibrewal, Adv. for R-5,6,7,10,12,14 & 15
(in Virtual Mode)
ORDER
1. Case called out. No one is present on behalf of the Applicants though the name of Mr. Soumya Banerjee and Ms. Mithu Bhattacharya, learned Counsel is printed in the cause list.
2. Heard Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh, learned Counsel present on behalf of the Respondent No.1, Odisha State Pollution Control Board ; Mr. Debashis Tripathy, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing (in Virtual Mode) for the State Respondents, Government of Odisha ; Mr. Pinaki Misra, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. Aparajita Rao, learned Counsel appearing (in Virtual Mode) on behalf of the Respondent Nos.8, 11 and 13 and Mr. Sanwal Tibrewal, learned Counsel appearing (in Virtual Mode) for the Respondent Nos. 5,6,7,10,12,14 & 15.
1(Final order of the said case will be uploaded in NGT website by separate sheets of paper) ..................................... B. Amit Sthalekar, JM ............................................. Dr. Arun Kumar Verma, EM July 18, 2025, Original Application No.165/2023/EZ SKB 2 Item No.10 Court No.1 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL EASTERN ZONE BENCH, KOLKATA (THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING WITH HYBRID MODE) Original Application No.165/2023/EZ In the matter of:
Sudhansu Sekhar Bastia Green Warrior Team, Jhartarang, Rourkela, Dist. - Sundargarh, Odisha .... Applicant(s) Versus
1. Odisha State Pollution Control Board
2. District Magistrate, Sundargarh, Odisha
3. Central Pollution Control Board
4. Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Bhubaneswar
5. Kalinga Sponge Iron Ltd.
Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
6. Sponge Udyog Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
7. Shri Bajrangbali Steel Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
8. Utkal Metallics Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
9. Meta Sponge Pvt. Ltd.
Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031 3
10. Reliable Sponge Private Limited Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
11. Rourkela Sponge LLP Balanda, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
12. Agrasen Sponge Iron Pvt. Ltd. Mandiakudar, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770034
13. Scan Steel Ltd.
Unit-1 & 2, Rambahal & Gangajal, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770018
14. Seeta Integrated Steel & Energy Pvt. Ltd. Kalunga, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770031
15. Balaji Metalicks Birkera, Sundargarh, Odisha - 770037 .... Respondent(s) Date of hearing: 18.07.2025 Date of uploading: 25.07.2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B. AMIT STHALEKAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON'BLE DR. ARUN KUMAR VERMA, EXPERT MEMBER For Applicant(s) : None For Respondent(s) : Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh, Adv. for R-1, Mr. Debashis Tripathy, AGA for R-2 & 4 (in Virtual Mode), Mr. Ashok Prasad, Adv. for R-3, Mr. Pinaki Misra, Sr. Adv. a/w Ms. Aparajita Rao, Adv. for R-8, 11 & 13 (in Virtual Mode), Mr. Sanwal Tibrewal, Adv. for R-5,6,7,10,12,14 & 15 (in Virtual Mode) ORDER
1. By order dated 22.11.2023, this Tribunal took cognizance of the present Original Application in view of the letter petition dated 01.09.2023 on the allegations of environmental violations against the Industrial Establishments. The order dated 01.09.2023 reads as under:-
4"The industrial establishments are not at all concerned about their activities and the impact of it on environment. Many of them does not have the requisite pollution control devices installed within the plant area. Sponge iron units have installed the dedusting systems for namesake that are not maintained and are functioning with the defective bags.
Water flowing out of the plant are left untreated and allowed to disgorge into the river or cultivated land, wells. Many industries don't have proper sewage treatment plant. Not a single posses fog canon to suppress the dispersal of PM 2.5 and PM1 in air. The charcoal heaps are adversely impacting the environment. During rainy seasons, the charcoal are getting carried away with rain water and getting accumulated in the cultivable land thereby reducing the fertility of the soil. Also, during summer and winter seasons, the charcoal dust are getting dispersed in the air, adversely impacting the environment and people residing nearby."
2. The Industrial Establishments against which allegations have been made were directed to be impleaded in the array of Respondents as Respondent Nos.5 to 15.
3. Considering the allegations made out in the Original Application, this Tribunal constituted a Fact Finding Committee comprising of the following members:-
a) District Magistrate, Sundargarh or his nominated representative not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate (ADM);
b) Senior Scientist, Odisha State Pollution Control Board;5
c) Senior Scientist, Central Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Bhubaneswar; and
d) Mr. Sankar Prasad Pani, Amicus Curiae
4. The Tribunal also directed that in case violations are found the Committee shall recommend penalty as well as Environmental Compensation and shall also suggest remedial measures.
5. The order dated 22.11.2023 was challenged by the Respondent No.8 before the Hon'ble High Court of Orissa at Cuttack in W.P. (C) No.42/2024, Utkal Metallics Limited, Sundargarh Vs. National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata and Ors. The writ petition was disposed of by the Hon'ble High Court by order dated 04.01.2024. The order dated 04.01.2024 reads as under:-
"1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.
2. Heard learned Sr. Counsel for the Petitioner and the learned counsel for the State.
3. The Petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition challenging the order dated 22.11.2023 passed by the learned National Green Tribunal Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata (hereinafter referred to as "the N.G.T" for brevity) in O.A. No.165/2023/EZ.
4. Learned Sr. Counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner operates the industrial unit at Sector-B Kalunga Industrial Estate, Kalunga, Sundergarh after having consent to operate to establish the same from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. The Petitioner's unit is fully functional at present with a production capacity of 24,000 TPA sponge iron and it is running the business by taking loan from the HDFC Bank. The Petitioner at present employs 129 permanent employees and more than 50 workers indirectly from the locality and has installed all pollution fighting equipments.6
5. The grievance of the Petitioner is that while dealing with the Letter Petition dated 01.09.2023 filed by one Green Warrior Team complaining about the violation of the pollution control norms by the Petitioner's industry, the N.G.T passed the order dated 22.11.2023 in O.A. No.165/2023/EZ seeking response from most of the industries which are operating in this field and ex- parting the petitioner without giving it an opportunity to put-forth its position before the Tribunal. By way of the said order the N.G.T also appointed one Mr. Sankar Prasad Pani as Amicus Curie and constituted a Committee comprising the District Magistrate Sundergarh, Senior Scientist Odisha State Pollution control Board, Senior Scientist Central Pollution Control Board and the said Amicus Curie. The mandate given to the Committee was that it should visit the site and submit its report with regard to the allegations made in the Original Application within two months considering that there are 11 Industrial Establishments to be inspected and Report to be submitted. The Committee was also given the mandate to recommend penalty as well as Environmental Compensation and also to suggest remedial measures, if any.
6. Learned Sr. Counsel appearing for the Petitioner submits that the Amicus Curie, who is appointed by the N.G.T. and to be part of the Committee, is an Advocate appears for so many parties especially for whistle blowers before the N.G.T. Hence, his inclusion in the Committee is a clear case of conflict of interest and is likely to smack bias.
7. Be that as it may, he further submits that the Committee has been formed without hearing the parties. Hence, the order suffers from violation of natural justice. He further submits that such kind of approach by the Tribunal adversely affect the functioning of the industry 7 and grossly impacts the ease of doing business in the State.
8. In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the N.G.T. should have given an opportunity of hearing to all the parties before constituting such Committee and passing order for inspecting the Petitioner's industry.
9. In such view of the matter, there is clear violation of natural justice while passing the aforesaid order for constituting the Committee. Further, the Committee should have comprised an independent person in place of Opposite Party No.5 so that the apprehension of bias or conflict of interest issue could have been avoided.
10. Considering the above, this Court deems it appropriate to remit the matter back to the N.G.T. for fresh hearing. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is allowed. The order dated 22.11.2023 passed by the N.G.T. in O.A. No.165/2023/EZ is set aside. The matter is remitted back to the N.G.T. with a direction to the N.G.T. to give opportunity of hearing to the Petitioner.
11. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of."
6. The Respondent No.1, Odisha State Pollution Control Board, has filed affidavit dated 30.04.2024. Along with this affidavit, an Inspection Report of an inspection carried out on 30.03.2024, has been filed. The Inspection Report reads as under:-
"Inspection Report of 11 Nos. of Industrial Establishments as per the Order of Hon'ble NGT Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata in the matter of Original application no.165/2023/EZ regarding alleged violation of pollution control norms ___________________________________________________ In response to the complaint filed by Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Bastia & others before the Hon'ble NGT Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, Original Application no. 165/2023/EZ was taken up this matter Suo 8 Motu. As per order of Hon'ble NGT dtd. 12.03.2024, field inspections were recently conducted in & around the 11 nos. of Industrial Establishments in the district of Sundargarh to verify the correctness of the allegations contained in the aforesaid complaint and following observations were made.
1. M/s. Bajrangbali Sponge and Power Limited, At:
Plot No.82, Sector-A, Industrial Estate Kalunga, Sundargarh (Formerly Kalinga Sponge Iron Industries Ltd.,) (Respondent No.5) I. Date of Inspection 30.03.2024 II. Name of the Occupier Mr. Akhil Kumar Agarwal, Director III. Background & Consent It is a sponge Status iron based steel unit with 2nos. of 100 TPD DRI Kilns, SMS (Induction Furnace), Rolling mill, Producer Gas plant & Slag crusher etc. Consent to Operate is valid for the period from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2027 for operation of Sponge Iron DRI Kiln (I & II) of 2 x 100TPD, Induction Furnace (1 x 10T/Heat)
- 3000 TPM and Iron Ore Crusher - 60 TPH vide Boards letter no 3794 dt.21.3.2020 and Rolling Mill @ 72000 TPA, Patra Mill @ 72,000 TPA, Coal Pulverizer for 9 production of Pulverized Coal @ 10 TPH, Slag Crusher (Revered iron from Induction Furnace Slag) @ 16 TPD vide Board's letter no.4384, dtd. 22.03.2022.
IV. Status of Pollution The industry control Measures & has provided Compliance Status individual ESP of capacity 2 x 24000 Nm3/hr for the treatment of Flue gas generated from the DRI kilns before let out to the atmosphere.
ESP was in normal operation.
Bag filters have
been provided at the
strategic material
transfer points like
Coal circuit, Iron Ore
circuits, Cooler
discharge, Product
house etc.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V. Many of them does not The industry has have requisite pollution provided the requisite control devices installed pollution control devices within the plant area like ESP & Bag filters of adequate capacity as at the potential dust generating points. The details are as follows:
Sl. Descripti Capaci N on ty 10 o. (Nm3/ hr)
1. ESP attached to DRI Kiln 2 x
- I & II 24,00 0
2. Common Bag filter attached to DRI Kiln - I, & II Stock 18,00 House 0 Coal 18,00 circuit 0 Transfer 21,00 House 0 Coal 2000 Injection Point 1 Coal 2000 Injection Point 2 Cooler 25,00 discharg 0 e Product 42,00 House-I 0 VI. Dedusting system are not The industry has been maintained and maintaining the functioning with defective aforesaid Bag filters Bags. time to time during the shutdown period or as when required. Bag filters were in operation during inspection.
VII. Water Flowing out of the Water is not used plant are left untreated directly in process and and allowed to disgorge used for only cooling & into the river and dust suppression cultivated land. purposes. Cooling water is completely recycled 11 through settling tanks.
Hence there is no
generation of process
wastewater. No effluent
was found to be
discharged to outside
the factory premises
during inspection.
VIII. Many Industries does not As such there is no have Sewerage Treatment colony inside the plant Plant. premises. The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX. Not a single possess fog About 15nos. of fixed canon to supress the type water sprinklers, dispersal of PM 2.5 &PM 6 nos. of pressurized 1 in the air. rain guns and three movable water sprinklers have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of Dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to be operational. Besides this the unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of capacity 12 KL for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal road network and approach road which 12 has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network.
X. The charcoal heaps are At present, the adversely impacting char (Solid waste) environment. During rainy generated from the seasons, the Charcoal are sponge iron plants is getting carried away with being reused as resource rain water and getting material (fuel) for the accumulated in the AFBC power plant. cultivable land thereby Hence most of the reducing the fertility of generated char is soil. Also During summer presently utilized as fuel and winter seasons, the in the AFBC power plant. charcoal dust are getting The industry has dispersed in the air allocated about 3.0Acres adversely impacting the of land inside the plant environment and people premises for solid waste residing nearby. disposal.
Only ESP dust and other dusts are dumped in dump yard.
The industry has provided retention wall all around the solid waste disposal site.
The industry has partly levelled and stabilized the exhausted part of the dump.
2. M/s Sponge Udyog Pvt. Ltd., Jiabahal, Kalunga, Sundargarh (Respondent No.6) I Date of 04th April 2024 Inspection II Name of the Sri Birendra Gandhi, Managing Director Occupier III Background This is a standalone sponge 13 & Consent iron plant having two DRI Status Kilns of capacity 2x100TPD.
Consent to Operate granted vide Board's letter No.3929, dt.18.03.2023 is valid up to 31.03.2028 for following facilities.
S. Product Quantity
N.
1 Sponge 2 x
Iron 100
DRI TPD
Kiln-I
& II
IV Status of The industry has installed
Pollution separate ESPs at DRI units. A
control common stack of about 30-meter
Measures & height has been attached to
Compliance these ESPs.
Status
Bag filters have been installed at different section of DRI units to control process and fugitive emission.
Pneumatic dust handling system have been installed to transfer and collect dust from ESP and Bag Filters into dust/ash silos.
Fixed type water sprinklers are provided along the internal roads, along coal and iron ore circuit, inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation.
Internal roads and work zone areas have been concreted.
Industry has developed
plantation over 2.0 acres
(Approx.) inside plant premises.
14Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of The industry has installed them does separate ESP having single not have pass and three fields of requisite capacity 24,000 Nm3/hr each pollution at the DRI units. A common control stack of about 30-meter height devices has been attached to it.
installed The unit has installed common within the pulse jet bag filters at plant area followings locations;
S.N. Description Stack Quantity
of Stack Height of
(m) emission
(Nm3/hr)
1. Coal 20 18,000
circuit
2. Stock 20 15,000
House
3. I-Bin 20 13,000
4. Cooler 20 21,000
Discharge
5. Product 20 40,000
house
VI Dedusting All the Bag filters were
system are functioning satisfactorily as
not observed during the
maintained inspection. The dust from the
and bag filters is collected through
functioning pneumatic dust handling
with system.
defective The industry has been
Bags. maintaining the aforesaid
Bag filters time to time during the shutdown period or as when required.
VII Water Water is not used directly in Flowing out of process and used for only the plant are cooling & dust suppression left untreated purposes. Hence there is no 15 and allowed generation of process to disgorge wastewater.
into the river No wastewater was being and cultivated discharged outside during land. inspection.
Cooling water is being
recycled completely.
VIII Many As such there is no colony
Industry inside the plant premises. The
don't have domestic waste water is
proper treated through soak pit
sewage followed by septic tank.
treatment
Plant
IX Not a single The industry has engaged
possess fog water tankers of 12 KL
canon to capacity for dust suppression.
suppress the Further they have installed dispersal of fixed sprinklers of about 13 PM 2.5 & Nos. number for wetting of PM10 in the internal roads and work zone air areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to be operational.
X The charcoal The land available inside heaps are the factory is 13.86 acres. adversely Out which 5 acres of land impacting the has been used for solid environment. waste dumping purpose. During rainy This dump is present within seasons, the the boundary wall of Charcoal are factory. Only ESP dust and getting other dusts are dumped in carried away dump yard. The industry with rain has provided retention wall water and all around the solid waste getting disposal site. The industry 16 accumulated had levelled and stabilized in the the exhausted part of the cultivable dump.
land thereby At present generated char is reducing the being supplied to the nearby fertility of AFBC power plants to be soil. Also used as fuel.
during The unit has constructed a summer and settling pit of size 13 x 18m winter x 3m at the end of dump site seasons, the for collection of surface charcoal dust runoff water during rain.
are getting Industry has provided one
dispersed in water tanker of capacity
the air 12KL for the dust
adversely suppression on roads and
impacting the solid waste dump area.
environment
and people
residing
nearby.
XI Remarks Approach road to the plant
which belongs to panchayat
was found in poor condition.
Huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during plying of vehicles.
3. M/s Shri Bajarangbali Steel, Kalunga, Sundargarh No industrial establishment exists in such name & style of Sri Bajarangbali Steel, Kalunga, Sundargarh (Respondent No.7)
4. M/s Utkal Metallicks Pvt. Ltd., At-I.E., Kalunga, Sundargarh (Respondent No.8) I Date of Inspection 09th April 2024 II Name of the Sri Hardeep Singh, Occupier Director 17 III Background This is a standalone & Consent sponge iron plant having two DRI Kilns of capacity Status 1x50 TPD and 1x40 TPD.
Consent to Operate granted vide Board's letter No.74, dt.02.01.2020 is valid up to 31.03.2025 for following facilities.
S. N. Product Quantity
1 Sponge 1 x 40 TPD
Iron 1 x 50 TPD
DRI
Kiln-I
& II
IV
Status of Pollution control The industry has
Measures & installed a common ESPs
Compliance Status at DRI units. A common
stack of about 30-meter
height has been attached
to these ESPs.
Bag filters have
been installed at
different section of DRI
units to control process
and fugitive emission.
Pneumatic dust
handling system have
been installed to transfer
and collect dust from
ESP and Bag Filters into
dust/ash silos.
Fixed type water
sprinklers are provided
along the internal roads,
along coal and iron ore
circuit, inside work zone
areas, etc. for
suppression of fugitive
18
dust during material
handling and vehicle
transportation.
Internal roads and
work zone areas have
been concreted.
Industry has
developed about 2346
Nos. of plantation over
1.413 ha (Approx.) inside
plant premises.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has installed a not have requisite common ESP having single pollution control pass and three fields of devices installed capacity 24,000 Nm3/hr within the plant each at the DRI units. A area common stack of about 30-
meter height has been
attached to it.
The unit has installed
common pulse jet bag
filters at followings
locations;
S.N. Description Stack Quantity
of Stack Height of
(m) emission
(Nm3/hr)
1. Coal 20 14,000
circuit
2. Iron Ore 20 20,000
Circuit
3. Stock 20 15,000
House
4. I-Bin 20 10,000
5. Cooler 20 14,000
discharge
6. Product 20 20,000
house
VI Dedusting system All the Bag filters were
are not maintained functioning satisfactorily
and functioning as observed during the
with defective Bags. inspection. The dust from
the bag filters is collected through pneumatic dust 19 handling system.
The industry has been
maintaining the aforesaid
Bag filters time to time
during the shutdown
period or as when
required.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly
the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of process wastewater.
No wastewater was being discharged outside during inspection.
Cooling water is being recycled completely.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess About 11nos. of fixed type fog canon to water sprinklers, 9 nos. of suppress the rain guns and three dispersal of PM 2.5 movable water sprinklers & PM1 in the air have been provided for wetting of internal roads and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to be operational.
Besides this the unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of capacity 20 12 KL for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal road network and approach road which has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network.
X The charcoal heaps The land available with are adversely the unit is 14.351 acres. impacting the Out of which 4.0 acres environment. During of land has been rainy seasons, the acquired outside the Charcoal are getting factory premises for carried away with solid waste dumping at rain water and Village Birual, which is getting accumulated about 15 km away from in the cultivable the plant. Out of 10.351 land thereby acres land inside the reducing the fertility factory premises the of soil. Also during unit has earmarked summer and winter about 3 acres of land for seasons, the solid waste dumping. charcoal dust are The unit has constructed getting dispersed in boundary wall around the air adversely the dump site. ESP dust impacting the and other solid waste environment and are dumped in people residing designated dump yard. nearby. They have leveled the dump and layer of soil cover has been provided over the inactive portion of the dump. The unit has not yet started dumping of solid waste at village Birual.
At present generated char is being supplied to 21 the nearby AFBC power plants to be used as fuel.
Industry has installed series of settling tanks for the collection, treatment and reuse of surface runoff generated from the plant premises during monsoon period.
Industry has provided one water tanker of capacity 12KL for the dust suppression on roads and solid waste sump area.
XI Remarks Approach road to the plant which belongs to IDCO was found in poor condition. Huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during plying of vehicles.
5. M/s M/s Meta Sponge (P) Ltd., I.E., Kalunga (Respondent No.9) I Date of Inspection 10th April 2024 II Name of the Sri Satyanarayan Prasad Occupier Sahoo, Director III Background This is a standalone & Consent sponge iron plant having Status two DRI Kilns of capacity 1x50 TPD and 1x40 TPD.
Consent to Operate granted vide Board's letter No.4843, dt.28.03.2022 is valid up to 31.03.2025 for following 22 facilities.
S. Product Quantity
N.
1 Sponge 1 x 40
Iron TPD
DRI 1 x 50
Kiln-I TPD
& II
IV
Status of Pollution control The industry has Measures & installed a common Compliance Status ESPs at DRI units. A common stack of about 30-meter height has been attached to it.
Bag filters have
been installed at
different section of DRI
units to control process
and fugitive emission.
Pneumatic dust
handling system have
been installed to
transfer and collect dust
from ESP and Bag
Filters into dust/ash
silos.
Fixed type water
sprinklers are provided
along the internal roads,
along coal and iron ore
circuit, inside work zone
areas, etc. for
suppression of fugitive
dust during material
handling and vehicle
23
transportation.
Internal roads and
work zone areas have
been concreted.
Industry has
developed plantation
over 0.7 acres (Approx.)
inside plant premises.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has installed a not have requisite common ESP having single pollution control pass and three fields of devices installed capacity 27,000 Nm3/hr within the plant each at the DRI units. A area common stack of about 30-
meter height has been
attached to it.
The unit has installed
common pulse jet bag
filters at followings
locations;
S.N. Description Stack Quantity
of Stack Height of
(m) emission
(Nm3/hr)
1. Coal 20 10,000
circuit
2. Stock 20 10,000
House
3. Cooler 20 10,000
discharge
4. Coal 20 16,000
Injection, I-
Bin and
Product
house
VI Dedusting system All the Bag filters were
are not maintained functioning satisfactorily
and functioning as observed during the
with defective Bags. inspection. The dust from
the bag filters is collected through pneumatic dust handling system.
VII Water Flowing out of No wastewater was being the plant are left discharged outside during 24 untreated and inspection.
allowed to disgorge Cooling water is being into the river and recycled completely. cultivated land.
VIII Not a single possess Industry has installed fog canon to fixed type water sprinklers suppress the along internal roads, along dispersal of PM2.5 coal and iron ore circuit, & PM 1 in the air inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation.
IX The charcoal heaps Industry has earmarked are adversely about 1.65 acres of land impacting the inside factory premises environment. During for dumping/storage of rainy seasons, the waste (char, iron ore Charcoal are getting fines & APCD dust). It carried away with was observed that old rain water and char dump and fines is getting accumulated being liquidated. At in the cultivable present about 1.0 area land thereby is being utilized for the reducing the fertility dumping of waste, rest of soil. Also during of the area is vacant. summer and winter Industry has installed seasons, the one Surface Runoff charcoal dust are Treatment System getting dispersed in (SRTS) for the collection, the air adversely treatment and reuse of impacting the surface runoff generated environment and from the plant premises people residing during monsoon period.
nearby. Industry has provided
one water tanker of
capacity 5KL for the
25
dust suppression on
roads and solid waste
dump area.
X Remarks Approach road to the plant
which belongs to IDCO
was found in poor
condition. Huge fugitive
dust emission was
observed from the road
during plying of vehicles.
6. M/s Reliable Sponge Pvt. Ltd., Industrial Estate, Kalunga, Sundargarh (Respondent No.10) I Date of Inspection 10.04.2024 II Name of the Mr. Arun Dua, Director At-Plot No.YYY/6, Civil Occupier Township, Rourkela-
769004, Odisha III Background & Consent to Operate Order is Consent Status valid up to 31.03.2028 for manufacturing of Sponge Iron DRI Kiln-I & II (2X50 TPD), DRI Kiln-III (2X50 TPD), Rolling Mill and Structural mill i) MS Rods/TMT Bars-1,44,000 TPA
ii) MS Channels, MS Angles, MS Flats-1,44,000 TPA, Producer Gas Plant (for Rolling mill)-4200 Nm3/hr, Producer Gas Plant (for structural Mill)-
6000 Nm3/hr, Induction
Furnace-2 X 6 Ton/Heat,
Billets (Two strand continuous billet caster)-28,800 Ton/Annum, Producer Gas Plant (stand by)-6000 Nm3/hr, Slag Crusher-12T/Hr.
IV
Status of Pollution control Common ESP
Measures & having flue gas handling
26
Compliance Status capacity 24,000 Nm3/hr connected to 2 X 100 TPD DRI Kilns supported with individual air to air cooled heat exchangers.
The dust collected from the hoppers is discharged to a common silo with pug mill. The dust is discharged through pug mill and transported to dump yard.
Another separate ESP having flue gas capacity 24,000 Nm3/hr connected to 1 X 100 TPD DRI Kiln.
PDHS at both ESPs hoppers. The dust collected from the hoppers is discharged to a common silo with pug mill. The dust is discharged through pug mill and transported to dump yard.
Common pulse jet bag filter at CD area of Kiln-1, 2 & 3 one pulse jet bag filter at common Intermediate bin, one pulse jet bag filter at common product house, one pulse jet bag filter at common stock house, one pulse jet bag filter at 27 common coal crusher circuit.
PDHS at the bag filter hoppers of product house, common bag filter hoppers of cooler discharge + CD transfer house + common I Bin + Produce house & common bag filter of cooler discharge of DRI kiln-I & II.
Cooling water is completely recycled and settling pond provided for treatment of surface runoff water during rainy day.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has provided not have requisite the requisite pollution pollution control control devices like Esp & devices installed Bag filters of adequate within the plant capacity as at the potential area dust generating points. The details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. ESP of DRI 2 X 24,000 Kiln-I, II & III Bag filter attached to
3. Coal Iron 14,000 Ore Circuit
4. Stock 20,000 House & I- 10,000 Bin
5. Cooler 30,000 discharge 10,000
6. Product 48,000 house 10,000
7. Common 1,20,000 Bag Filter of Induction Furnace-I & II
8. Bag Filter 30,000 of Slag Crusher 28 VI Dedusting system The industry has been are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of process wastewater. There was no discharge of waste water during inspection.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess Fixed Rain gun type water fog canon to sprinklers has been suppress the provided in raw material dispersal of PM 2.5 handling yard, internal & PM10 in the air. road and work zone area.
The unit has also engaged
one mobile water tankers
of capacity of 10 KL for
water sprinklings on
internal road and approach
road.
X The charcoal heaps Out of total about
are adversely 25.816 Acres inside the
impacting the factory premises about
environment. During 7.0 acres of land has
rainy seasons, the been earmarked for
Charcoal are getting solid waste dumping
29
carried away with purposes. The generated
rain water and char from DRI Section is
getting accumulated sent to the nearby AFBC
in the cultivable Boiler power plants for
land thereby use in the boiler as fuel
reducing the fertility as the Dolochar (Waste)
of soil. Also during is having good calorific
summer and winter value.
seasons, the Presently sold waste is
charcoal dust are found to be dumping
getting dispersed in inside the factory
the air adversely premises. At present
impacting the generated char is being
environment and supplied to the nearby
people residing AFBC power plants to
nearby. be used as fuel. ESP
dust and other solid
waste are dumped in
designated dump yard.
They have leveled the
dump and partly layer
of soil cover has been
provided over the
inactive portion of the
dump.
The unit has also
constructed an earthen
settling pit near dump
site for settling of
surface runoff water
during rain.
XI Remarks Approach road to the plant
which belongs to IDCO
was found in poor
condition. Huge fugitive
dust emission was
observed from the road
30
during plying of vehicles.
7. M/s Rourkela Sponge LLP, Balanda, Sundargarh (Respondent No.11) I Date of Inspection 18.04.2024 II Name of the Mr. Rupen Sanyal, Partner Occupier III Background & It is a sponge iron Consent Status industry and established since 2004 at Balanda, PO-
Kalunga in the dist. of Sundargarh.
Consent to Operate of the industry is valid up for the period of 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2027 for Sponge Iron DRI Kilns (I & II) 2 X 50 TPD and DRI Kiln III (1 X 100 TPD) subject to strict compliance to Consent Conditions vide Head Office letter no. 20813, dtd.
27.12.2021.
IV
Status of Pollution control The industry has
Measures & provided ESP with air-to-
Compliance Status air heat exchanger for
the treatment of
emissions from DRI Kiln-
I & II (2 X 50 TPD) and
DRI Kiln III (1 X 100
TPD).
Water is used only
for cooling purposes and
completely recycled
through settling tanks.
Most of the internal
roads are concreted.
31
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has not have requisite provided ESP air to air pollution control heat exchanger for the devices installed treatment of emissions within the plant from DRI Kiln-I & II (2 X area 50 TPD) and DRI Kiln III (1 X 100 TPD).
The unit has
provided Bag filters
connected at cooler
discharge, I-bin and
Product house. The
details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. ESP of DRI 24,000
Kiln-I & II
2. ESP of DRI 24,000
Kiln- III
Bag filter attached to kiln-I & II circuit
1. I-bin 15,000
2. Coal 20,000 Circuit
3. Iron Ore 20,000 Circuit
4. Cooler 18,000 discharge
5. Product 20,000 House Bag filter attached to kiln-III circuit
1. Stock 14,000 House
2. Coal 3,500 Injection
3. Coal 14000 Circuit
4. Iron Ore 10000 Circuit
5. PH, CD 48000 and I-Bin
6. Additional 8000 BF at CD VI Dedusting system The industry has been are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of process 32 wastewater. There was no discharge of wastewater.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess About 15 nos. of water
fog canon to sprinklers and rain guns
suppress the are installed to suppress
dispersal of PM 2.5 the particulate matters
& PM1 in the air. generated.
X The charcoal heaps Most of the dolochars
are adversely are sold to Power plants
impacting the to be used in ABC
environment. During Boiler.
rainy seasons, the The rest of the dolochar
Charcoal are getting was levelled with soil
carried away with cover.
rain water and
getting accumulated
in the cultivable
land thereby
reducing the fertility
of soil. Also during
summer and winter
seasons, the
charcoal dust are
getting dispersed in
the air adversely
impacting the
environment and
people residing
nearby.
XI Remarks Approach road to the plant
which belongs to Balanda
Panchyat was found in
33
poor condition. Huge
fugitive dust emission was
observed from the road
during plying of vehicles.
8. M/s Agrasen Sponge Private Limited, Mandiakudar, Sundargarh (Respondent No.12) I Date of Inspection 10.04.2024 II Name of the Mr. Murari Lal Sharma, Director Occupier III Background & This is a standalone Consent Status sponge iron plant having Four DRI Kilns of capacity 4x50 TPD. Consent to Operate granted vide Board's letter No.4860, dt.28.03.2023 is valid up to 31.03.2028 for following facilities.
S. Product Quantity
N.
1 Sponge 4 x 50
Iron TPD
DRI
Kiln-I,
II, III &
IV
IV
Status of Pollution control Common ESP for
Measures & kiln-III & IV. DRI Kiln-I, II
Compliance Status & III is having individual
FD cooler before ESP and
DRI kiln-IV is having
individual air-air heat
exchanger. Installed
ESPs and heat
exchangers were
operating properly during
inspection.
Pneumatic dust
34
handling system (PDHS)
has been installed at
both the hoppers of ESPs
with a common silo and
pug mill. The unit has
installed PDHS at the
ESP hoppers of both the
Kilns. The dust collected
from the hoppers is
discharged to a common
silo with pug mill. During
visit the installed
pneumatic dust handling
systems were operating
properly. The wet dust
from the pug mill is
directly unloaded to the
dumpers and shifted to
the dump yard.
One mobile water
tanker is also engaged
for sprinkling of water
about 4 - 5 times/day on
approach road
connecting from SH-10 to
main gate and over the
internal road. Fixed
water sprinkler has also
been installed various
location to control dust
emission.
The unit has
installed bag filters at a)
one common bag filter for
cooler discharge of DRI
Kiln-I & II, b) one bag
filter at common
35
Intermediate bin, c) one
bag filter at common
product house, d) one
bag filter at common
stock house, e) one bag
filter at common coal
crusher & screen circuit
& one bag filter at
common iron ore crusher
& screen circuit.
The unit has
installed PDHS at the
bag filter hoppers of
product house,
intermediate bin & cooler
discharge. The dust
collected from the
hoppers of bag filters of
aforesaid area are
conveyed pneumatically
to the common silo of
ESP. The PDHS were in
operation during
inspection. However the
industry has not
provided PDHS system
at the coal circuit bag
filter which is leading to
dust accumulation in
that area.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has provided not have requisite the requisite pollution pollution control control devices like Esp & devices installed Bag filters of adequate within the plant capacity as at the potential area dust generating points. The 36 details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. i) Stack 50000 attached to common ESP of DRI Kiln-I & II
ii) Stack 50000 attached to common ESP of DRI Kiln-III & IV Bag filter attached to
3. Cooler 16,500 discharge-I (Kiln-I & II) Cooler 16,500 discharge-I (Kiln-III & IV Stock 16000 House
4. Coal 16500 Circuit
5. Product 30000 house
6. I-Bin 7000 VI Dedusting system All the Bag filters were are not maintained functioning satisfactorily and functioning as observed during the with defective Bags. inspection. The dust from the bag filters is collected through pneumatic dust handling system. The industry have been maintaining the aforesaid Bag filters time to time during the shutdown period or as when required.
VII Water Flowing out of No wastewater was being the plant are left discharged outside during untreated and inspection. Water is not allowed to disgorge used directly in process into the river and and used for only cooling cultivated land. & dust suppression purposes. Hence there is no generation of process wastewater. Cooling water is being recycled completely.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony 37 have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess One mobile water tanker is fog canon to also engaged for sprinkling suppress the of water about 4 - 5 dispersal of PM 2.5 times/day on approach & PM1 in the air. road connecting from SH-
10 to main gate and over
the internal road. Fixed
water sprinkler has also
been installed various
location to control dust
emission.
X The charcoal heaps At present the generated
are adversely char is being supplied to
impacting the the nearby power plants
environment. During to be used as fuel in
rainy seasons, the AFBC boilers. The rest
Charcoal are getting ESP dust and other solid
carried away with waste are presently
rain water and dumped in the dump
getting accumulated yard inside the unit
in the cultivable premises at area about
land thereby 9.98 acres.
reducing the fertility The inactive dump yard
of soil. Also during has been partly
summer and winter reclaimed by spreading
seasons, the layer of soil with proper
charcoal dust are compaction,
getting dispersed in consolidation and
the air adversely plantation. Run-off
impacting the water of the dump yard
environment and flows down to the
people residing earthen pond.
nearby.
38
XI Remarks Approach road to the plant
which belongs to IDCO
was found in poor
condition. Huge fugitive
dust emission was
observed from the road
during plying of vehicles.
9. M/s Scan Steel Limited, Unit-I, At: Rambahal, Dist:, Sundargarh (Respondent No.13) I Date of Inspection 10.04.2024 II Name of the Shri Ankur Madaan, Director Occupier III Background & It is a sponge iron based Consent Status steel unit with 2 nos. of 50TPD DRI Kilns, SMS (Induction Furnace & Billet Caster), Rolling mill, Producer Gas plant & Slag crusher etc. Consent to Operate of Industry is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2028 for following plant configurations
01. Sponge Iron - DRI Kiln - I & II 2 X 50 TPD
02. Iron Ore Crusher 20 TPH
03. Induction Furnace 1 X4 T/H + 1 X 5 T/H
04. MS Billet Caster (CCM) 15,000 TPA
05. Roling Mill 48,000 TPA
06. Producer Gas Plant 4,200 Nm3/Hr
07. Slag Crusher 10 TPH IV The Status of Pollution control industry has Measures & provided ESP for the 39 Compliance Status treatment of Flue gas generated from the DRI kilns before let out to the atmosphere. ESP was in normal operation.
Bag filters have
been provided at the
strategic material transfer points like Coal circuit, Iron Ore circuits, Cooler discharge, Product house etc. The unit has installed 2 nos. of Induction Furnace of capacity 5 T/heat & 4 T/heat respectively.
Induction Furnace of
capacity 5 T/heat is
provided with swivelling
hood for collection of
fumes followed by bag
filter. The other one is
installed with swivelling
hood followed by wet
scrubber. Both the
induction furnace was
found operational along
with APC measures
during inspection.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has provided not have requisite the requisite pollution pollution control control devices like Esp & devices installed Bag filters of adequate within the plant capacity as at the potential area dust generating points. The 40 details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. Each ESP 75,000 of DRI Kiln
- I & II Bag filter attached to
3. Coal 14,000 circuit
4. Iron Ore 20,000 Circuit - I & II
5. Product 32,000 House and Cooler 8,000 discharge
6. Stock 18,000 house VI Dedusting system The industry has been are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required. Bag filters are in operation during inspection.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of wastewater. VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess About 10 nos. of fixed type fog canon to water sprinklers, 9 nos. of suppress the pressurized rain guns and dispersal of PM 2.5 three movable water & PM1 in the air. sprinklers have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of Dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to 41 be operational. Besides this the unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of capacity 12 KL for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal road network and approach road which has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network.
X The charcoal heaps At present the generated are adversely char (Solid waste0 impacting the generated from the environment. During sponge iron plants is rainy seasons, the being reused as Charcoal are getting resource material (fuel) carried away with for the AFBC power rain water and plant. Hence most of the getting accumulated generated char is in the cultivable presently utilized as fuel land thereby in the AFBC power reducing the fertility plant.
of soil. Also during The unit has total area summer and winter about 24.00 acres out of seasons, the which 5.00 acres has charcoal dust are been earmarked for getting dispersed in solid waste dumping. the air adversely Presently solid waste is impacting the found to be dumping environment and inside the factory people residing premises. At present nearby. generated char is being supplied to the nearby AFBC power plants to be used as fuel. ESP dust and other solid waste are dumped in 42 designated dump yard.
They have leveled the dump and partly layer of soil cover has been provided over the inactive portion of the dump.
10. M/s Scan Steel Limited, Unit-II, At: Rambahal, Dist:, Sundargarh (Respondent No.13) I Date of Inspection 26.04.2024 II Name of the Shri Ankur Madaan, Director Occupier III Background & It is a sponge iron based Consent Status steel industry having SMS & rolling mill & Captive Power plant and established in 2003 At:
Budhakata, PO:Biringatoli in the district of Sundargarh.
08. Consent to Operate is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2028 for the operation of (a) DRI Kiln (I, II, III & IV)-4 X100 TPD (b) Induction Furnace- 3 X 12 T/Heat, Concast Machine @ 1 X 2 strand, (c) Captive Power Plant (CPP)-
12 MW (4 X 2 MW WHRB
+ 4 MW FBC) (d) Coal
Washery0 (1 X 40 TPH
throughput) @ 2,40,000
TPA, € Iron ore crusher (1 X
50 TPH) @ 3,00,000 TPA,
(f) Fly ash brick
manufacturing unit (1 X 42
43
TPD) @ 12,600 TPA (g) slag
crusher @ 10 TPH.
IV The
Status of Pollution control industry has
Measures & provided individual two
Compliance Status fields ESP of capacity2 X
24000 Nm3/hr supported
with individual air to air
heat exchanger followed
by individual WHRB for
treatment of the Kiln
emission.
The industry has
provided three fields ESP
having flue gas handling
capacity 44,000 Nm3/hr
for power plant for the
treatment of boiler
emissions.
Bag filters have
been provided at the
strategic material transfer points like Cooler discharge, I-Bin and Product house etc. Cooling water was completely recycled. The cooling tower blow down of power plant is reused in the cooler of DRI kilns.
The boiler blow down and regeneration water from the DM plant is treated in the neutralisation pit. The treated water is reused for dust suppression purpose.
The industry has
44
provided a good paved
parking area and most of
the internal roads were
concreted. Raw materials
were kept in an
organised way as
observed during
inspection.
1 no. of Mechanical
road sweeper was
engaged for carrying out
cleaning of the internal
roads.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has provided not have requisite the requisite pollution pollution control control devices like Esp & devices installed Bag filters of adequate within the plant capacity as at the potential area dust generating points. The details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. ESP attached to DRI Kiln-I 2 X 24,000 & II DRI Kiln-III 2 X 24,000 & IV
2. Common Bag filter attached to DRI Kiln-I, II, III & IV Coal 15,000 Circuit-I Coal 15,000 Circuit-II Stock 18,000 House-I Stock 18,000 House-II I-Bin (I) 12,000 I-Bin (II) 15,000 Cooler 17,000 discharge-I Cooler 12,000 discharge-
II (A) Cooler 16,000 discharge-I (B) Product 48,000 House-I Product 12,000 House-II Product 27,000 Separation House Stack 44,000 attached to ESP of 45 AFBC Boiler
3. Bag filter 15,000 stack attached to Induction Furnace
4. Bag filter 65000 attached to the Coal washery VI Dedusting system The industry has been are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required. Bag filters are in operation during inspection.
VII Water Flowing out of Cooling water was the plant are left completely recycled. The untreated and cooling tower blow down allowed to disgorge of power plant is reused into the river and in the cooler of DRI kilns.
cultivated land. The boiler blow down and regeneration water from the DM plant is treated in the neutralisation pit. The treated water is reused for dust suppression purpose.
The unit has provided one rain water harvesting pond of size about 90 m X 50m X 7 and one settling pit of size about 5m X 5m X 3m inside their plant premises. The surface runoffs from the plant through concrete drains are being channelized to 46 this pit. The over flow from this pit is channelized to the rain water harvesting pond.
No effluent was found to be discharged to outside the plant premises during inspection.
VIII Many Industry don't The industry has provided have proper sewage a Sewage Treatment Plant treatment Plant of Capacity 10 KLD. The STP was in operation during inspection and the treated water is used for gardening purposes.
IX Not a single possess The industry has provided fog canon to 1 no. of mobile fog canon suppress the and 1 no. of mobile water dispersal of PM 2.5 tankers of 5 KL capacity.
& PM1 in the air. About 9 nos. of fixed type water sprinklers, 4 nos. of pressurized rain guns have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of Dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to be operational.
X The charcoal heaps At present, the char (Solid are adversely waste) generated from the impacting the sponge iron plants is being environment. During reused as resource rainy seasons, the material (fuel) for the AFBC Charcoal are getting power plant. Hence most of carried away with the generated char is rain water and presently utilized as fuel in 47 getting accumulated the captive getting carried in the cultivable away with rain AFBC land thereby power plant.
reducing the fertility
of soil. Also during
summer and winter
seasons, the
charcoal dust are
getting dispersed in
the air adversely
impacting the
environment and
people residing
nearby.
11. M/s Barbarik Steel Pvt. Ltd., (Formerly M/s. Seeta Integrated Steel & Energy Pvt. Ltd.), At: Plot no.202, IDC Kalunga, Dist:Sundargarh (Respondent No.14) I Date of Inspection 25.04.2024 II Name of the Rahul Mittal, Director Occupier III Background & It is a sponge iron Consent Status industry and established since 2004 in the Industrial Estate.
Consent to Operate of the industry is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2026 for Sponge Iron DRI Kilns 1 x 50 TPD & 1 x 100 TPD, subject to strict compliance to Consent Conditions vide Head Office letter no.
4864, dtd. 28.03.2023 IV The industry Status of Pollution control has Measures & provided air cooled heat Compliance Status exchanger followed 48 cyclone & bag filter at the DRI kiln -I of 50 TPD capacity. Bag filter was in operation during inspection.
The industry has provided 2 field ESP with air to air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI Kiln
--II (1 x 100 TPD). ESP was in operation during inspection.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has not have requisite provided air cooled heat pollution control exchanger followed devices installed cyclone & bag filter at the within the plant DRI kiln -I of 50 TPD area capacity. Bag filter was in operation during inspection.
The industry has provided 2 field ESP with air to air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI Kiln -
II (1 x 100 TPD). ESP was in operation during inspection. Details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr) Bag filter attached to GCP of
1. DRI Kiln-I 12,000 ESP of
2. DRI Kiln- II 15,000 Common Bag filter of DRI Kiln-I & II attached to
3. Iron Ore ---
Circuit
4. Coal 18,000 circuit
5. Product 30,000 House
6. Stock 24,000 49 House
7. I-Bin 12,000
8. Coal 2X5,000 Injection Point - I & II VI Dedusting system The industry has been are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required. Bag filters are in operation during inspection.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of process wastewater.
Water is used only for cooling purposes and completely recycled through settling tanks.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess About 20nos. of fixed type fog canon to water sprinklers have been suppress the provided for wetting of dispersal of PM 2.5 internal roads for & PM10 in the air. suppression of Dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were found to be operational. Besides this the unit has also engaged one mobile water 50 tanker of capacity 8 KL for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal road network and approach road which has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network.
X The charcoal heaps The unit has total area are adversely about 20.09 acres out of impacting the which 3.00 acres has been environment. During earmarked for solid waste rainy seasons, the dumping. Presently solid Charcoal are getting waste is found to be carried away with dumping inside the factory rain water and premises. At present, getting accumulated generated char is being in the cultivable supplied to the nearby land thereby AFBC power plants to be reducing the fertility used as fuel.
of soil. Also during
summer and winter
seasons, the
charcoal dust are
getting dispersed in
the air adversely
impacting the
environment and
people residing
nearby.
12. M/s Balaji Metallics Pvt. Ltd. At:Birkera,
Sundargarh (Respondent No.15) I Date of Inspection 25.04.2024 II Name of the Mr. Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director Occupier III Background & It is a standalone Consent Status sponge iron industry and established since 51 2005 at Khairbondh, PO-Ranto, Birkera in the dist. of Sundargarh.
Consent to Operate of the industry is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 30.09.2024 for Sponge Iron DRI Kilns (I & II)2 x 50 TPD, subject to strict compliance to Consent Conditions vide Head Office letter no. 4712, dtd. 30.03.2024.
IV The Status of Pollution control industry has Measures & provided ESP with air to Compliance Status air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI Kiln
-I &II (2 x 50 TPD).
Water is used only for cooling purposes and completely recycled through settling tanks.
Observations relating to the Complaint matter V Many of them does The industry has not have requisite provided ESP with air to pollution control air heat exchanger for devices installed the treatment of within the plant emissions from DRI Kiln -
area I &II (2 x 50 TPD).
The unit has provided
Bag filters connected at
cooler discharge, I-bin
and Product house. The
details are as follows:
S.N. Description Capacity (Nm3/hr)
1. ESP DRI 24000
52
Kiln - I & II
Bag filter attached to
1. Coal 15,000
Circuit
2. Stock 18,000
House and
I-Bin
4. Coal 5200
Injection
5. Cooler 18,000
discharge
6. Product 20,000
House
VI Dedusting system The industry has been
are not maintained maintaining the aforesaid and functioning Bag filters time to time with defective Bags. during the shutdown period or as when required. Bag filters are in operation during inspection.
VII Water Flowing out of Water is not used directly the plant are left in process and used for untreated and only cooling & dust allowed to disgorge suppression purposes. into the river and Hence there is no cultivated land. generation of process wastewater.
VIII Many Industry don't As such there is no colony have proper sewage inside the plant premises. treatment Plant The domestic waste water is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank.
IX Not a single possess Water sprinklers are fog canon to installed to suppress the suppress the particular matters dispersal of PM 2.5 generated.
& PM1 in the air.
X The charcoal heaps Most of the dolochars are are adversely sold to Power plants to be impacting the used in ABC Boiler. environment. During The rest of the dolochar rainy seasons, the was not levelled properly. Charcoal are getting Also garland drains and carried away with water sprinklers were not 53 rain water and provided at the dolochar getting accumulated dump site.
in the cultivable land thereby reducing the fertility of soil. Also during summer and winter seasons, the charcoal dust are getting dispersed in the air adversely impacting the environment and people residing nearby.
XI Remarks Regular cleaning & wetting of the internal roads were not carried out resulting heavy fugitive dust emission due to wind action and during plying of vehicles.
More than 5nos. of huge dust accumulation patches were observed.
Overall housekeeping of the work zone areas of Raw-material stock yards & Raw material handling plant, DRI kiln area and ash silo areas were found to be in very poor conditions resulting fugitive dust emission.
Approach road to the plant which belongs to Panchyat was found in 54 poor condition. Huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during plying of vehicles.
The 11 nos. of aforesaid Industrial Establishments are mostly Sponge Iron based industries and operating with valid Consent to Operate. As per the manufacturing process of Sponge Iron manufacturing plants, it consists of the reduction of iron ore with coal & dolomite in rotary kiln, which is heated to a temperature of 950- 1000°C then cooled to 160°C temperature in the rotary cooler with in-direct water cooling system. The products are then screened and magnetically separated. Sponge iron being magnetic gets attracted and gets separated from the non- magnetic char. The flues gases are treated in the Electro Static Precipitator before let out to the atmosphere through a stack of adequate height. Water is not used directly in process and used for only cooling & dust suppression purposes.
However installed ESPs in sponge iron plants are non-operational i) during start-up of the Kilns ii) during shutdown of the kilns, iii) temporary power failure due to technical limitation and low Flue gas temperature . During instant power failure a spurt of emission takes from the kiln for a period of 10 to 15 minutes, since the DG sets which supplies the backup power to operate ESP needs at least 10 minutes to synchronize its operation with the process unit. During start-up and shutdown of the kiln there is inevitable emission from the kilns for a period of 10 to 12 hours.
After certain period (Campaign period) of operation of sponge iron kilns, accretion rings are formed inside the rotary kiln and kilns are taken 55 for shut down. After cutting of accretions & requisite maintenance, Kilns are again resumed its process through light-up/ start up process. During the start-up & shut down procedures, there is visible emission for few hours due to technical limitations of flue gas temperature for its treatment through its ESPs.
The emission parameters are monitored through Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) with real time data transmission facilities conncted to the server of State Pollution Control Board, Odisha and Central Pollution Control Board. In addition to the online continuous monitoring systems, manual monitoring of emission parameters are also carried out. Further Surveillance IP Cameras have been installed at the Strategic Points to view the real time emissions from the Industry and it is monitored through IT Cell of SPCB, Odisha, Bhubaneswar.
Surprise inspections in addition to the routine inspection are being conducted to verify the compliance status of the aforesaid industries at both Regional Office Level and Head Office level. In case of violations, non- compliances to stipulated consent conditions if observed any, action including show cause notices, directions, personal hearing & direction of closure is being taken against the defaulting units and directions is being issued for taking remedial measures. Most of the alleged industries are located around the Kalunga Industrial Estate. To meet the raw material requirements, dispatch of products and solid waste disposal (about 10,500 Tonnes/day of material is handled in dry conditions) numbers of heavy vehicles are frequently plying in the common IDCO road as all 56 these are transported through road. Fugitive emission is observed due to transportation of fines, raw materials and products in Kalunga Industrial Estate area. The common transportation road of Kalunga Industrial Estate was found to be in poor condition due to development of port and holes, accumulation of dust, ongoing road construction & rail over bridge constructional works. Fugitive road dust emission was observed during plying of Heavy vehicles. The complainant has not specified one of the actual concern of the industrial area which is one of the important concern and significantly influencing air quality of that area. In this regard Board has issued several directions to concerned authorities.
In view of the above, it may be concluded that the complainant is not fully aware of the process, pollution control standards, pollution control measures taken by the industries. In case of violations if observed at any point of time, action is being taken against the defaulting units and directions including Show Cause Notice, Direction of Closure and Personnel hearing are being issued for taking remedial measures. These sponge iron units are under Constant surveillance & monitored through online systems, IP cameras & Consent administration mechanisms of the Board."
7. The Respondent No.12, Private Respondent, has filed affidavit dated 09.04.2024. In para-9 of this affidavit, it is wrongly mentioned that the answering company is Respondent No.8 but in fact it is Respondent No.12, Agarasen Sponge Private Limited, as would be clear from the affidavit itself. Allegations of environmental violations have been denied. It is stated that the Unit has a production capacity of 24000 TPA of Sponge Iron and has installed all pollution 57 fighting equipment as required to ensure that all pollution norms are met by the Respondent. It is stated that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board carried out inspection of the Unit and thereafter, the Consent to Operate (CTO) granted earlier was renewed on 28.03.2023. It is also stated that the State Pollution Control Board further inspected the Unit on 10.01.2024 and no deficiencies have been found in the Unit. It is further stated that the Pneumatic Dust Handling System ('PDHS' for short) is fully operational and no objection has been raised against it by the State Pollution Control Board; the water flowing out of the plant is being treated at dust settling ponds, which are available within the boundary of the plant and are again utilized for industrial use; no water is flowing outside the factory area into any river or cultivated land or otherwise; Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is operational and is attended by the company at regular intervals.
8. The Respondent No.8, Private Respondent, has filed affidavit dated 21.03.2024 and it is stated that the company was incorporated on 08.01.2003. Consent to Establish (CTE) was issued on 15.07.2003 and thereafter, the Unit was duly set up. Consent to Operate (CTO) was issued and renewed from time to time after due verification and the last such renewal of Consent to Operate was issued on 02.01.2020 and is valid up to 31.03.2025. It is stated that the Respondent No.8 Unit, is fully operational and has a capacity of 24000 TPA of Sponge Iron. Allegation of environmental violations have been denied and it is stated that Dedusting System is fully operational; water flowing out of the plant is being treated at dust settling ponds which are available within the boundary of the plant and are again reutilized for industrial use; no water is flowing 58 outside the factory area into any river or cultivated land or otherwise.
9. The Respondent No.3, Central Pollution Control Board, has filed affidavit dated 30.4.2024 and it is stated that Sponge Iron Plants are categorized as 'Red Category' industry under Sl. No.53 of the list under Red Category in terms of the order issued by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board dated 11.07.2018, and Consent to Operate is granted to the Sponge Iron Plant under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and under Section 21 of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It is stated that as per the Environment (Protection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2008 notified by MoEF&CC on 30.05.2008 emission standards for rotary kiln of Sponge Iron Plant, are given in the affidavit in a chart which reads as under:-
S. No. Parameter Standard
1. Particulate matter 100 mg/Nm3 (Coal based) 50 mg/Nm3 (Gas based)
2. Sulphar Dioxide Upto 12.68 Kg/hr (SO2) (Stack height upto 30 mtr).
10. It is also stated that as per Rule, the effluent discharge standards for Sponge Iron Plant, are as follows:-
Parameters Standard
pH 5.5 - 9.0
Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/l
Oil & Grease 10 mg/l
COD 250 mg/l
11. The Respondent No.2, Collector & District Magistrate, Sundargarh, has filed affidavit dated 17.09.2024 referring to the order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Orissa at Cuttack dated 04.01.2024.
12. We have heard the learned Counsel for the Respondents and perused the documents on record.
5913. With regard to the Respondent No.5, Sponge Iron Unit, earlier known as Kalinga Sponge Iron Industries Ltd. and now known as M/s Bajrangbali Sponge and Power Limited, the Inspection Report shows that the said industry has provided individual Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) of capacity of 2X24000 Nm3/hr. for the treatment of flue gas generated from the DRI kilns before being let out into the atmosphere; ESP was in normal operation; bag filters have been provided at strategic material transfer points like Coal circuit, Iron Ore circuits, Cooler discharge, Product house etc.
14. So far as the allegation that the Unit does not have requisite pollution control devices installed within the plant area, the Inspection Committee has noted that the said industry has provided requisite pollution control devices like ESP & bag filters of adequate capacity. It has also been noted that the Industry is maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required and the bag filters were in operation during inspection; Water is not being used directly in industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes; Cooling water is completely recycled through settling tanks and no effluent was discharged to the outside of the factory premises; there is no colony inside the plant premises and domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; 15 fixed type water sprinklers, 6 pressurized rain guns and three movable water sprinklers have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard which were found to be operational; the Unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of capacity 12 KL for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal 60 road network and approach road; Char (solid waste) generated from the sponge iron plants is being reused as source material (fuel) for the Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion (AFBC) Power Plant and is utilized as fuel therein; the Unit has allocated about 3.0 Ac. of land inside the plant premises for solid waste disposal.
15. The Committee has noted that ESP dust and other dusts are dumped in the dump yard and the industry has provided retention wall all around the solid waste disposal site and has partly leveled and stabilized the exhausted part of the dump.
16. As regards Respondent No.6, M/s Sponge Udyog Pvt. Ltd., the Committee has noted that the said industrial Unit has installed separate ESPs at DRI Units; Common stack of about 30 meters height has been attached to these ESPs; bag filters have been installed at different section of DRI Units to control process and fugitive emission; Pneumatic Dust Handling System have been installed to transfer and collect dust from ESP and bag filters into dust/ash silos; Fixed type water sprinklers have been provided along internal roads, along coal and iron ore circuit, inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation; Internal roads and work zone areas have been concreted; Industry has developed plantation over approximately 2.0 Ac. of land inside the plant premises; Water is not being used directly in the industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes; hence, there is no generation of processed wastewater and no wastewater is being discharged to the outside of the Unit premises; Cooling water is being recycled completely; there is no colony inside the plant premises and domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit 61 followed by septic tank; the industry has engaged water tankers of 12 KL capacity for dust suppression; 13 fixed sprinklers have been installed for wetting of internal roads and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard, which are operational; Out of total 13.86 Ac. of land available inside the factory Unit; 5 Ac. of land has been used for solid waste dumping purpose and this dump is present within the boundary wall of the factory, only ESP dust and other dusts are dumped in the dump yard but retention wall has been provided around the solid waste disposal sites and the industry has leveled and stabilized the exhausted part of the dump; Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby AFBC Power Plants to be used as fuel; Settling pit of size 13m X 18m X 3m has been constructed at the end of the dumpsite for collection of surface runoff water during rain; the said Industry has provided one water tanker of 12 KL capacity for dust suppression on roads and solid waste dump area.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted that the approach road to the Plant which belongs to the Panchayat was found to be in poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.6 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
6217. So far as the Respondent No.7, M/s Shri Bajarangbali Steel is concerned, it is stated that no industrial establishment exists in the name and style of Sri Bajarangbali Steel, Kalunga, Sundargarh.
18. So far as the Respondent No.8, M/s Utkal Metallicks Pvt. Ltd. is concerned, the Inspection Committee has noted that the industry has installed common ESP at DRI Units and a common stack of about 30 meters has been attached to it; bag filters have been installed at different sections of the DRI Unit to control process and fugitive emission; Pneumatic Dust Handling System has been installed to transfer and collect dust from ESP and bag filters into dust/ash silos; Fixed type water sprinklers are provided along internal roads, along coal and iron ore circuit, inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation; Internal roads and work zone areas have been concreted; industry has planted 2346 trees over 1.413 Ha. inside the plant premises towards green cover.
19. With regard to the allegations of causing environmental violations, the Inspection Committee has noted that the Unit has installed pulse jet bag filters which are mentioned in the Inspection Report;
all bag filters were functioning satisfactorily; dust from the bag filters is collected through the Pneumatic Dust Handling System and the bag filters are being maintained by the industry from time to time during shutdown period or as and when required; Water is not being used directly in industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and, therefore, there is no generation of processed wastewater and no wastewater is being discharged to the outside of the factory premises; Cooling water is being recycled completely within the Unit; further as there is no 63 colony inside the plant premises; domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank. It is noted that the Unit has 11 fixed type water sprinklers, 9 rain guns and three moveable water sprinklers for wetting of internal roads and work zone areas, including iron ore and coal stock yard, which were operational;
Unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of 12 KL capacity for water sprinkling on rest part of the internal road network and approach road.
20. The Inspection Committee has also noted that the land available within the Unit is 14.351 Ac. in area, 4.0 Ac. of land has been acquired outside the factory premises for dumping of solid waste at Village Birual which is about 15 KM away from the Plant; Out of 10.351 Ac. of land inside the factory premises the Unit has earmarked about 3 Ac. of land for solid waste dumping and has constructed boundary wall around the dumpsite; ESP dust and other solid waste are dumped in the designated dump yard which has been levelled and layer of soil cover has been provided over the inactive portion of the dump and it is also noted that the Unit has not yet started dumping of solid waste at Village Birual; Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby AFBC Power Plants to be used as fuel; Industry has installed series of settling tanks for collection, treatment and reuse of surface runoff generated from the plant premises during monsoon; one water tanker of 12 KL capacity has been provided for dust suppression on roads and solid waste sump area.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted that the approach road to the plant which belongs to Industrial Development Corporation, i.e. IDCO, was 64 found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.8 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
21. As regards Respondent No.9, M/s Meta Sponge (P) Ltd., the Inspection Committee has noted that the Unit is a standalone sponge iron plant having two DRI Kilns of capacity 1 X 50 TPD and 1 X 40 TPD and Consent to Operate (CTO) was granted on 28.03.2022 valid up to 31.03.2025. The Inspection Committee has also noted that the industry has installed a common ESP at DRI Units and common stack of about 30 meters height has been attached to it; bag filters have been installed at different sections of the DRI Unit to control process and fugitive emission; Pneumatic Dust Handling System has been installed to transfer and collect dust from ESP and bag filters into dust/ash silos; fixed type water sprinklers have been provided along internal roads, along coal and iron ore circuit, inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation;
Internal roads and work zone areas have been concreted; the industry has developed plantation over 0.7 Ac. inside the plant premises.
22. The Inspection Committee has further noted that all bag filters were functioning satisfactorily as observed during inspection; no wastewater is being discharged to the outside of the factory premises; Cooling water is being recycled completely within the 65 Unit; industry has installed fixed type water sprinklers along internal roads, along coal and iron ore circuit, inside work zone areas, etc. for suppression of fugitive dust during material handling and vehicle transportation; the Industry has earmarked about 1.65 Ac. of land inside factory premises for dumping/storage of waste (char, iron ore fines and APCD dust); Old char dump and fines is being liquidated; at present about 1.0 Ac. of land is being utilized for the dumping of waste, rest of the area is vacant; Industry has installed one Surface Runoff Treatment System (SRTS) for the collection, treatment and reuse of surface runoff generated from the plant premises during monsoon; Industry has provided one water tanker having 5KL capacity for the dust suppression on roads and solid waste dump area.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted that the approach road to the plant which belongs to IDCO was found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.9 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
23. As regards Respondent No.10, M/s Reliable Sponge Pvt. Ltd., the Inspection Committee has noted that the industry has provided common ESP having flue gas handling capacity of 24,000 Nm3/hr.
connected to 2 X 100 TPD DRI Kilns supported with individual air to air cooled heat exchanges; the dust collected from the hoppers is 66 discharged to a common silo with pug mill; the dust is discharged through pug mill and transported to dump yard; Common pulse jet bag filter at CD area of Kiln-1, 2 & 3, one pulse jet bag filter at common intermediate bin, one pulse jet bag filter at common product house, one pulse jet bag filter at common stock house, one pulse jet bag filter at common coal crusher circuit; PDHS at the bag filter hoppers of product house, common bag filter hoppers of cooler discharge + CD transfer house + common 1 Bin + produce house & common bag filter of cooler discharge of DRI kiln-I & II; Cooling water is completely recycled and settling pond provided for treatment of surface runoff water due to rains. The Inspection Committee has also noted that the industry has provided the requisite pollution control devices like ESP and bag filters of adequate capacity as the potential dust generating points; Industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as when required; Water is not used directly in process and used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and there is no generation of process wastewater; there was no discharge of wastewater during inspection; there is no colony inside the plant premises and domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; Fixed rain gun type water sprinklers has been provided in raw material handling yard, internal road and work zone area; the Unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of having a capacity of 10 KL for water sprinkling on internal road and approach road; Out of total about 25.816 Ac. inside the factory premises about 7.0 Ac. of land has been earmarked for solid waste dumped purposes; Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby AFBC Boiler Power Plants for use 67 in the boiler as fuel as the Dolochar (Waste) is having good calorific value; at present solid waste is found to be dumped inside the factory premises; Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby AFBC Power Plants to be used as fuel; ESP dust and other solid waste are dumped in designated dump yard; the Industry has levelled the dump and partly layer of soil cover has been provided over the inactive portion of the dump; the Unit has also constructed an earthen settling pit near the dumpsite for settling of surface runoff water during rain.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted that the approach road to the plant which belongs to IDCO was found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.10 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
24. With regard to the Respondent No.11, M/s Rourkela Sponge LLP, the Inspection Committee has noted that the industry has provided ESP with air to air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI Kilns - I & II (2 X 50 TPD) and DRI Kiln - III (1 X 100 TPD); the Unit has provided bag filters connected at cooler discharge, I-Bin and product house; the industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as when required; Water is not used directly in the industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust 68 suppression purposes and there is no generation of processed wastewater; there is no colony inside the plant premises and the domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; 15 water sprinklers and rain guns have been installed to suppress the particulate matters generated; most of the Dolochars are sold to power plants to be used in AFBC Boiler and the rest of the Dolochar was levelled with soil cover.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted that the approach road to the plant which belongs to Balanda Panchayat was found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.11 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
25. As regards Respondent No.12, M/s Agrasen Sponge Private Limited, the Inspection Committee has noted that the Unit is a standalone sponge iron plant having four DRI Kilns of capacity 4 X 50 TPD and Consent to Operate (CTO) was granted on 28.03.2023 which is valid up to 31.03.2028. The Inspection Committee has also noted that the industry has installed a common ESP for DRI Kilns-III & IV; DRI Kilns is having individual air heat exchanger; installed ESPs and heat exchangers were operating properly during inspection; Pneumatic Dust Handling System has been installed at both the hoppers of ESPs with a common silo and pug mill; the dust collected from the hoppers is discharged to a common silo 69 with pug mil; during visit, the Pneumatic Dust Handling Systems were operating properly; the wet dust from the pug mill is directly uploaded to the dumpers and shifted to the dump yard; One mobile water tanker has also been engaged for sprinkling of water about 4
- 5 times/day on the approach road connecting from SH-10 to main gate and over the internal road; Fixed water sprinkler has also been installed at various location to control dust emission.
26. The Inspection Committee has noted bag filters at a) one common bag filter for cooler discharge of DRI Kiln - I & II, b) one bag filter at common intermediate bin, c) one bag filter at common product house, d) one bag filter at common stock house, e) one bag filter coal crusher & screen circuit and one bag filter at common iron ore crusher and screen circuit; the Unit has installed Pneumatic Dust Handling System at the bag filter hoppers of the product house, intermediate bin and cooler discharge; the dust collected from hoppers of bag filters of aforesaid area are conveyed pneumatically to the common silo of ESP; the Pneumatic Dust Handling Systems were in operation during inspection. The Committee has however noted that the Industry has not provided Pneumatic Dust Handling System at the coal circuit bag filter which is leading to dust accumulation in the area; the Industry has provided the requisite pollution control devices like, ESP, Heat Exchanger and bag filter of adequate capacity at the potential dust generating points; all the bag filters were functioning satisfactorily as observed during the inspection; the dust from the bag filter is collected through the Pneumatic Dust Handling System; the Industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required; No wastewater was 70 found being discharged outside the premises during inspection;
Water is not used directly in industrial process and is being used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and there is no generation of processed wastewater; Cooling water is being recycled completely.
27. The Inspection Committee also noted that there is no colony inside the plant premises; the domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; One mobile water tanker is engaged for sprinkling of water about 4 - 5 times/day on approach road connecting from SH-10 to main gate over the internal road;
Fixed water sprinkler has also been installed at various locations to control dust emission; at present, the Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby power plants to be used as fuel in AFBC Boilers and the rest ESP dust and other solid waste are dumped in the dump yard inside the Unit premises over an area about 9.98 Ac.;
the inactive dump yard has been partly reclaimed by spreading layer of soil with proper compaction, consolidation and plantation;
Runoff water of the dump yard flows down to the earthen pond.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted the approach road to the plant which belongs to IDCO was found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings under the head 'Remarks' are duly remedied by the Respondent No.12 within two months failing which the industry shall also be liable for Environmental Compensation and action as per law.
7128. With regard to the Respondent No.13, M/s Scan Steel Limited, Unit-I, the Inspection Committee has noted that the industry has provided ESP for the treatment of flue gas generated from the DRI kilns before being let out to the atmosphere; ESP was in normal operation; Bag filters have been provided at the strategic material transfer points like Coal circuit, Iron Ore circuits, Cooler discharge, Product house, etc.; the Unit has installed two induction furnace of capacity 5 T/heat & 4 T/heat respectively; Induction furnace of capacity 5 T/heat is provided with swiveling hood for collection of fumes followed by bag filter and the other one is installed with swiveling hood followed by wet scrubber; Both induction furnaces were found operational along with APC measures during inspection;
the Industry has provided the requisite pollution control devices like ESP and bag filters of adequate capacity at the potential dust generating points; the Industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required; Bag filters are in operation during inspection; Water is not used directly in industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and therefore, there is no generation of processed wastewater.
29. The Inspection Committee also noted that there is no colony inside the plant premises; the domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; 10 fixed type water sprinkler, 9 pressurized rain guns and three moveable water sprinklers have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard which were found to be operational; the Unit has also engaged one mobile water tanker of 12 KL capacity for water sprinkling on the rest part 72 of the internal road network and approach road which has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network; at present, the Char (solid waste) generated from the sponge plants is being reused as resource material (fuel) for the AFBC power plant and most of the generated char is presently utilized as fuel in the AFBC power plant; the Unit has a total area about 24.00 Ac. out of which 5.00 Ac. has been earmarked for solid waste dumping; presently, solid waste is found to be dumped inside the factory premises; at present, Char is being sent to the nearby AFBC power plants to be used as fuel; ESP dust and other solid waste are dumped in designated dump yard and the industry has levelled the dump and partly layer of soil cover has been provided over the inactive portion of the dump.
30. With regard to the Respondent No.13, M/s Scan Steel Limited, Unit-II, the Inspection Committee has observed that the industry is a sponge iron based steel industry established in 2004 and Consent to Operate (CTO) is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2028 for the operation of (a) DRI Kiln (I, II, III & IV)- 4 X 100 TPD (b) Induction Furnace- 3 X 12 T/Heat, Concast Machine @ 1 X 2 strand, (c) Captive Power Plant (CPP)- 12 MW (4 X 2 MW WHRB + 4 MW FBC) (d) Coal Washery- (1 X 40 TPH throughput) @ 2,40,000 TPA, (e) Iron ore crusher (1 X 50 TPH) @ 3,00,000 TPA, (f) Fly ash brick manufacturing unit (1 X 42 TPD) @ 12,600 TPA (g) slag crusher @ 10 TPH. The Committee also noted that the industry has provided two individual field ESP of capacity of 2 X 24000 Nm3/hr.
supported with individual air to air heat exchanger followed by individual WHRB for treatment of the kiln emission; the industry has provided three field ESP having flue gas handling capacity of 73 44,000 Nm3/hr. for power plant for the treatment of boiler emissions; Bag filters have been provided at the strategic material transfer points like cooler discharge, I-Bin and product house, etc.;
Cooling water was completely recycled; the cooling tower blow down of power plant is reused in the cooler of DRI kilns; the boiler blow down and regenerated water from the DM plant is treated in the neutralization pit and the treated water is reused for dust suppression purpose; the industry has provided a good paved parking area and most of the internal roads were concreted; Raw material were kept in an organized way as observed during inspection; one mechanical road sweeper was engaged for carrying out cleaning of the internals roads.
31. The Inspection Committee also noted that the industry has provided the requisite pollution control devices like ESP and bag filters of adequate capacity at the potential dust generating points;
the industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required;
Bag filters were in operation during inspection. It is noted that cooling water was completely recycled; the cooling tower blow down of power plant is reused in the cooler of DRI kilns; the boiler blow down and regenerated water from the DM plant is treated in the neutralization pit and the treated water is reused for dust suppression purpose; the Unit has provided one rain water harvesting pond of 90m X 50m X 7 of size and one settling pit of 5m X 5m X 3m inside their plant premises; the surface runoff from the Plant through concrete drains are being channelized to this pit;
the over flow from this pit is channelized to the rain water harvesting pond; no effluent was found to be discharged outside the 74 plant premises; the industry has provided Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) having capacity of 10 KLD capacity which was found to be operational during inspection and the treated water is used for gardening purposes; the industry has provided one mobile fog canon and one mobile water tanker of capacity 5 KL; 9 fixed type water sprinklers, 4 pressurized rain guns have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of dust and work zone areas including iron ore and stock yard which were found to be operational; at present, Char (solid waste) generated from the sponge iron plants is being reused as resource material (fuel) for the AFBC power plant and hence, most of the generated Char is presently utilized as fuel in the captive AFBC power plant.
32. With regard to the Respondent No.14, M/s Barbarik Steel Pvt. Ltd., (Formerly M/s Seeta Integrated Steel & Energy Pvt. Ltd.), the Inspection Committee has noted that Consent to Operate (CTO) is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2026 for Sponge Iron DRI Kilns 1 X 50 TPD & 1 X 100 TPD, subject to strict compliance of consent conditions; the industry has provided air cooled heat exchanger followed cyclone and bag filter at the DRI kiln - I of 50 TPD capacity; Bag filters were in operation; the industry has provided two field ESP with air to air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI kiln - II (1 X 100 TPD); ESP was in operation during inspection; the industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required; Water is not used directly in industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and there is no generation of processed wastewater; there is no colony inside the plant premises; the domestic wastewater is 75 treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; 20 fixed type water sprinklers have been provided for wetting of internal roads for suppression of dust and work zone areas including iron ore and coal stock yard which were found to be operational; the Unit has engaged one mobile water tanker of 8 KL capacity for water sprinkling on the rest part of the internal road network and approach road which has not been covered under fixed sprinkler network; the Unit has a total area of about 20.09 Ac., out of which 3.00 Ac has been earmarked for solid waste dumping; presently, solid waste is found to be dumped inside the factory premises;
generated Char (solid waste) is being sent to the nearby AFBS power plants to be used as fuel.
33. With regard to the Respondent No.15, Shree Balaji Metallics Pvt.
Ltd., the Inspection Committee has noted that Consent to Operate (CTO) is valid for the period from 01.04.2023 to 30.09.2024 for Sponge Iron DRI Kilns (I & II) 2 X 50 TPD, subject to strict compliance of consent conditions; the industry has provided air to air heat exchanger for the treatment of emissions from DRI Kiln I & II (2 X 50 PD); Water is used only for cooling purposes and is completely recycled through settling tanks; the Unit has provided bag filters connected at cooler discharge, I-bin and product house;
the industry has been maintaining the aforesaid bag filters from time to time during the shutdown period or as and when required;
Water is not used directly in industrial process and is used only for cooling and dust suppression purposes and there is no generation of processed wastewater; there is no colony inside the plant premises; the domestic wastewater is treated through soak pit followed by septic tank; Water sprinklers have been installed to 76 suppress the particulate matters generated; most of the Dolochar are sold to power plants to be used in AFBC Boiler. The violations noted is that the rest of the Dolochar was not leveled properly and garland rains and water sprinklers were not provided at the dolochar dumpsite.
However, under the heading 'Remarks', the Inspection Committee has noted regular cleaning & wetting of internal roads were not carried out, resulting in heavy fugitive dust emission due to wind action and during plying vehicles, more than 5 huge dust accumulation patches were observed; Overall housekeeping of the work zone areas of Raw-material stock yards and Raw-material handling plant, DRI Kiln area and ash silo areas were found to be in very poor condition resulting in fugitive dust emission; the approach road to the plant which belongs to the Panchayat was found to be in a poor condition and huge fugitive dust emission was observed from the road during the plying of vehicles.
34. The Inspection Committee has noted that most of the alleged industries area located around the Kalunga Industrial Estate and to meet the raw material requirements, dispatch of products and solid waste disposal of about 10,500 Tonnes/day of material is handled in dry conditions and number of heavy vehicles are frequently plying on the common IDCO road as all the above are transported by road; Fugitive emission was observed due to transportation of fines, raw materials and products in Kalunga Industrial Estate area; the common transportation road of Kalunga Industrial Estate was found to be in a poor condition due to development of portholes, accumulation of dust, ongoing road 77 construction and rail over bridge construction works; Fugitive road dust emission was observed during plying of heavy vehicles.
35. The Inspection Committee has also noted that in cases where violations are observed at any point of time, action is being taken against the defaulting Units and directions, including Show Cause Notice, direction of Closure and personnel hearing are being issued for taking remedial measures. It is stated that Respondent Sponge Iron Units are under constant surveillance and monitored through online systems, IP cameras and consent administration mechanisms of the Board.
36. In view of the Inspection Report and findings of the Inspection Committee, we are of the view that with regard to some of the Industrial Units, environmental violations have been observed, such as non-maintenance of connecting road which either belong to the Panchayat or the Village or the IDCO leading to huge dust emission. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board shall ensure due compliance of its directions within the time frame given by us.
37. In the case of Respondent No.15, Shree Balaji Metallics Pvt. Ltd., several violations have been noted by the Committee in addition to these noted under the heading 'Remarks' which have been noted above. The Committee has also noted that the Consent to Operate (CTO) is valid only up to 30.09.2024 which means that if the same has not been renewed thereafter, the Respondent No.15 is operating without a valid Consent to Operate (CTO).
38. We, therefore, direct the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to ensure that its findings with regard to environmental violations as noted with respect to Respondent No.15 are duly addressed by the Respondent No.15 and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board as 78 a regulatory authority shall proceed to take action as per law against the violator and also for computation of Environmental Compensation.
39. The Original Application is disposed of with the aforesaid directions.
40. I.As. if any, stand disposed of accordingly.
41. There shall be no order as to costs.
..................................... B. Amit Sthalekar, JM ............................................. Dr. Arun Kumar Verma, EM July 18, 2025, Original Application No.165/2023/EZ MN 79