Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Akash Kalo Vs M/s JSW Bhushan Power and Steel Limited & Others dated 12/03/2024.

The allegation of the applicant is that M/s JSW Bhushan Power and Steel Limited, is causing illegal deposition of raw iron dust over the forest land by constructing a pond-cum-stockyard and operating the same in the highly risky level near village Bisadihi, district Sambalpur, Odisha.

An iron pond constructed by JSW Bhushan Power and Steel is about 200 meters from the applicant’s village and there is no green belt surrounding the area nor any boundary or polythene sheet has been installed before depositing the raw iron dust after digging 50 feet near the village Bisadihi and the underground water is also contaminated with crude iron and turned red in colour. construction of raw iron pond-cum-iron stockyard was started in the month of November, 2020, and due to heavy dust pollution and contamination of ground water, the applicant and other villagers submitted a representation on July 14, 2023 before the Collector and District Magistrate, Sambalpur, but no action has been taken till date.

The court was of the view that the matter required consideration and directed notice to be issued to state of Odisha; Odisha Pollution Control Board; Central Pollution Control Board and M/s JSW Bhushan Power and Steel Limited. All the respondents have been directed to file their counter affidavits within four weeks. In addition, the NGT directed a three member committee to visit the site in question and submit its report within four weeks with respect to the allegations made in the application.