Order of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Tarun Rathore Vs MoEF&CC & Others dated 14/11/2022.

The appeal has been filed against Environmental Clearance dated 22.04.2022 granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to M/S Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) for its expansion of Aluminium Smelter from 5.75 LTPA to 10.85 LTPA in village Risda, Tehsil Korba District Korba Chhattisgarh. The contention of the appellant is that Environmental Impact Assessment was made but various factors have not been taken into consideration and BALCO has received Environment Clearances by submitting false and misleading data in front of the Expert Appraisal Committee.

The MoEF&CC has granted EC for Expansion of Aluminium Smelter and 300 MW Captive Power Plant but in EIA, Public Hearing Conducted only for expansion of Aluminium Smelter 5.75 LTPA to 10.85 LTPA and without EIA And Public Hearing, EC is granted for 300 MW captive power plant, the applicant (Tarun Rathore) said.

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The NGT taking into considerations the submissions filed by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) and other authorities said that proper expert appraisal was conducted for expansion of Aluminum Smelter Plant and there is a proper provision of compliance of environmental conditions. Further, the Principal Bench of the NGT had already dealt with the matter (original application no. 188/2022 Dr. Anil Kumar Vs. State of Chhattisgarh & Ors).