ELECTROSTEEL STEELS LTD Vs. JHARKHAND STATE POLLUTION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is a company and is in process of establishing a 'green field' 3 MTPA integrated steel plant in Chas-Chandankyari Block in the District of Bokaro. The industry is to be set up on investment of Rs.Ten thousand crores. According to the petitioner, out of the said amount they have already invested more than Rs. Eight thousand crores. For arranging the said heavy amount, the petitioner has to raise loan from the bank and other financial institutions on which they have to pay heavy amount of interest. Substantial amount has also been raised from the general public by issue of shares.

(2.) The petitioner has claimed that the proposed steel plant is being constructed with the latest technical knowhow and with virtual no pollution due to waste water and air emission. The waste water is to be recycled with the application of modern technology as also the air pollution shall be controlled by advanced devices bringing the standard of emission well within the norms provided by Pollution Control Board. The company has invested Rs.525 crores on pollution control measures.

(3.) Before proceeding with the project the petitioner obtained terms of reference from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India and they were directed to approach the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board for conducting public hearing/public consultation. After public hearing, the Environmental clearance was granted to the petitioner. The petitioner, thereafter, approached the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board for taking consent to establish the said industry. The petitioner, for that purpose, made an application under the Provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.