The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has levied an environmental compensation of ₹71.16 crore on Vedanta Limited for allegedly dumping fly ash without prior authorization at its aluminum smelter and captive power plant in Jharsuguda district. This punitive action highlights serious environmental violations, as the improper disposal of fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, poses significant risks to water quality and ecosystems.
According to the OSPCB, the indiscriminate dumping of fly ash contravenes both the conditions of Vedanta’s operational consent and the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change’s fly ash regulations. Upon reviewing complaints and inspection reports during an internal committee meeting on August 3, it was revealed that Vedanta had been disposing of fly ash across various locations in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh without the board’s approval.
Regulatory Findings
The OSPCB outlined that, per current regulations, an environmental compensation of ₹1,000 per tonne is applicable for unutilized fly ash from thermal power plants not in compliance with guidelines. It estimated that about 7,11,653.32 metric tonnes of unauthorized fly ash were improperly disposed of in the aforementioned districts, resulting in the substantial fine.
The board’s findings marked the violations as gross infractions against established consent conditions and directives under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The OSPCB has issued a show-cause notice to Vedanta, requiring them to justify the imposition of the ₹71.16 crore penalty and explain why their operational consent should not be revoked. They have been given 15 days to respond.
Additionally, the board has instructed the company to provide a comprehensive action plan for the removal of the illegally dumped fly ash and the restoration of affected sites.
