SMS smelter plant which has been in operation since 2004 has always been shrouded in controversy ever since the local populace residing in proximity flagged-off air, water and noise pollution emanating out of the production unit. Heath hazards spiking up in last couple of years as alleged by the locals with no respite from the state government one Takam Xavier has taken up the matter with the national green Tribunal for investigation and justice writes Eastern Sentinel’s Jun Taki. In his report, Taki has quoted government sources confirming environmental irregularities. 

1. Public alleges gross violation of environmental norms 

ITANAGAR, Sep 10: At a time when the whole world is pledging to reduce carbon dioxide emission, the residents of Lekhi village and its surrounding areas are being subjected to inhale increasing amounts of poisonous gases in the form of Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) from a Ferro Alloys manufacturing unit at Lekhi Village. 

Set up in the heart of the thickly populated Nirjuli township, this "Smoking”- SMS Smelters Limited/Salasar Factory, spews out plumes of smoke from its chimneys visible from miles.

Categorized under “Red” (highly polluting industries), having maximum production capacity of 1000M/T annually, the factory was established in the year 2004. Since then, things have never been the same for the residents of Lekhi, Model & Lekhi village and Nirjuli areas.   

Haplessly, they are leading a miserable life with sleepless nights as a result to the foul smell and Silica dust discharged during recycling coupled with massive noise pollution all day long. 

“The factory is operating 24 hours a day non-stop. Once it starts functioning, we can’t hear ourselves speak nor can we listen to the TV,” says a resident, Takam Xavier. 

The factory burns raw coal powder to generate gas. In the process thick layers of smoke envelopes, the roof tops of homes and trees are covered by thick layer of ash. Minor respiratory disorders due to air pollution is common here, he added. 

Reportedly there has been unusual cases of death of pets and domestic animals and substantial decrease in fertility of agriculture land. All this has resulted in understandable apprehension that in the long run the residents especially seniors and children might suffer from serious respiratory problems due to the Silica dust. 

“We have lodged several complaints to the competent authority but in vain. With no option left, I had recently filed a petition against the factory in the court of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) requesting to take appropriate measures to get the unit evicted from the area,” Xavier informed. 

Worried residents are voluntarily contributing money for meeting the court expenditures without any hesitance as they also want the factory relocated. 

Living just 100 meters away from the factory, G. Karbak too is apprehensive that the dust filled air might prove fatal for the old and the young. 

“I think that factory should be shifted to the town outskirts before it’s too late,” he opines.

 Another resident requesting anonymity alleged that the factory is under the protection by few influential individuals as for them the factory is like a “Goose that lays golden eggs". ‘And the government is generating huge revenue from it. This is the main reason for the Board failing to initiate action against the factory as their hands are tied,” he added.

 He expressed surprise at the lack of government action against the factory which is functioning without obtaining any Environment Clearance Certificate (ECC) from Ministry of Environment & Forest.

 Echoing similar sentiments, a shopkeeper claims that especially during morning hours, the whole area is covered by smoke making breathing difficult. 

‘It is a matter of deep concern that our government allows such factory to function in a residential colony having thousands in population and where most educational institutions and business houses are established,’ he added. 

2. Company refutes allegations 

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the factory, Jirjo Techi Tera rejected the resident’s claims, saying that there is no report of locals being diagnosed with diseases resulting from the smoke emitted by the plant. 

“In view of public health, we have installed equipment for filtration of smoke emitting from the factory to make the exhaust less polluting and changing it when required,” he clarified.

He also rejected allegations that the factory is releasing water used to cool the machines into the Pachin and Kankar River which flows behind the plant or other untreated effluents which may contaminate the water. 

“The water is being recycled and there is no need to worry about it,” he adds.

 3. Authorities Mixed Reactions

 Extra Assistant Commissioner, (EAC), Naharlagun, Hento Karga who inspected the factory thrice, says most of the people’s complaints are not based on facts.

 “When I visited in person after receiving complaints from residents, I found their allegations mostly incorrect as I thoroughly checked roof tops, but didn’t find any dust particles and even checked the surrounding foliage within the factory premises, but found it un-contaminated and healthy,” he claims.

 Karga maintained that when he inspected the factory last i.e, August 2017, it was not functioning due to up-gradation work. He however, said that another inspection will be conducted very soon and then devices under the chimneys will be installed to check levels of toxic gases.

 Karga, who is also Chairman of a committee constituted under the State Pollution Control  Board to look into the matter disclosed that he will soon write to the government requesting to constitute an expert team from the Central Pollution Board of India to find out the reality.

 When inquired if the State Pollution Control Board has sufficient equipment and Experts to check such kind of industrial pollution, Karga gave a bizarre reply that ‘there are no experts nor proper equipment and devices available with the Board.’

But, Scientist (B), SPCB, N Meji has a different story to tell. Meji, alleged that the factory has violated few CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) guidelines.

 He disclosed that the factory management failed to carry out plantation around the boundary and even never conducted any social responsibility measure like health awareness programme despite several notices issued.

 About Environment Clearance Certificate (EI), Meji confirmed that the factory is running without any EC certificate. However he maintained that when the factory was set-up in 2004, there was no mandatory rule framed to obtain ECC from the Ministry as it was in the year 2006 that the regulation was passed.

 Meji admitted that the Board is unable to initiate action because of legal loopholes and opined that the government should adopt a proper Industrial Policy and develop an industrial estate where such factories can be shifted. 

‘Whenever I conducted an inspection of the factory, all the pollution control devices were found installed and functioning properly. But people are complaining repeatedly even after inspection,” he added. 

NGT unhappy, sets deadline 

“In response to Takam Xavier’s plea, a bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), headed by Justice SP Wangdi, on August 17, 2017, issued notices to the State Government, Pollution Control Board and State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The NGT has asked the Arunachal Government to reply within three weeks. 

In the notice, the NGT has also expressed resentment against State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for failing to respond to its notice and directed to inspect the unit in question and verify as to whether the allegations are right or wrong.”

 The plea, filed through Advocate Arpita Chodhary has also sought directions to initiate criminal proceedings against the factory for violating EIA regulations, 2006 by applying the Principal of Polluter Pay and to pass an Ad-interim order for disconnection of electricity supply till disposal of the case.

 The next hearing of the case will be held on October 6, 2017.

 

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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