An expert appraisal committee of the Union ministry of environment and climate change (MoEF&CC) has recommended the grant of environment clearance (EC) for JSW Utkal Steel Ltd’s proposed steel plant near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district.
The committee that had deferred granting environment clearance to the company seeking more information, has set a series of conditions while giving its nod.
The Sajjan Jindal-led group has planned a 13.2 MTPA crude steel plant along with 900 MW captive power and 10 MTPA cement grinding unit. It also plans to set up a captive jetty near the plant. While the state government is in the process of handing over of land for the project, the project has been facing stiff resistance from some locals.
The expert appraisal committee, while recommending clearance for the project, has said that its proponent (JSW) should abide by all orders and judicial pronouncements, made from time to time by the Orissa high court.
The committee has also set a condition that the project proponent shall not construct any steel plant facility on the north-eastern portion of the high tide line and sand dunes in the vicinity of the project site. The company has also laid the condition that no filling and raising of land beyond 2950.10 acres (constituting 973.533 acres of green belt) shall be permitted to the project proponent.
As an area of 209.34 acres (84.72 hectares) of the forest land is located in between the proposed integrated steel plant and jetty, the MoEF&CC said the forest area will remain untouched and separated from the plant and jetty. It has asked the company to conserve the area in consultation with the divisional forest officer (DFO) of the state forest department.