Emission standards for sponge iron industry lack teeth

THE much awaited emissions standards for sponge iron plants have finally been notified. It took the environment ministry almost two and a half years. But it seems the period has taken a toll on the stringent guidelines of the draft, initially released in March 2006.
While the initial draft had detailed guidelines, the notified draft is lenient, particularly towards fugitive emissions, which is a major environmental issue associated with sponge iron industry. It has raised permissible levels for fugitive emissions from 1,000 microgram/cubic metre (