The National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, on Wednesday declined to grant any interim relief to Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd to reopen its copper smelter plant in Tuticorin. The unit was closed on March 29 following complaints of excessive emission of sulphur dioxide.

However, the NGT, after perusing the Expert Committee’s report, stated, “It appears that the stack and ambient air quality are within the permissible limits.”