Public hearing for the environmental clearance of Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL)’s proposed expansion successfully concluded today at the JCD-NIMZ office, Kalinganagar.
Organized by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), the hearing saw active participation from proponents, opponents, and stakeholders, including public representatives, intellectuals, and local residents.
The session was chaired by Additional District Collector of Kalinganagar, Sapan Kumar Nanda, with State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Jajpur Regional Officer, Madan Mohan Sahu, in attendance. NINL CFO, Sanjeev Kumar Ghosh, detailed on the plant’s proposed expansion plan, while MD and CEO, Sudhir Kumar Mehta, addressed public concerns.
Tata Steel Long Products Limited acquired NINL in July 2022 and achieved operational milestones swiftly. Within 100 days, the plant resumed operations, and its rated capacity was achieved within nine months.
Comprehensive upgrades included advanced pollution control systems such as Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs), cyclone separators, dry fog systems, bag filters, and water sprinkling mechanisms.
To further minimize environmental impact, a scrubber-based gas cleaning plant was introduced to treat BOF gas. Continuous Environmental Monitoring Systems (CEMS) were installed to monitor air quality and emissions, alongside an Effluent Quality Monitoring System (EQMS) to ensure real-time evaluation of water discharge and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) performance.
Looking forward, NINL plans to implement additional environmental initiatives, including a Zero Effluent Discharge (ZED) system, a Fume Extraction Systems at Blast Furnace and SMS. These measures aim to ensure sustainable operations and maintain a cleaner environment for the plant and its surrounding areas.
As part of Tata Steel’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, the Tata Steel Foundation has initiated various socio-economic development programs in the surrounding communities. These include projects focused on education, skills development, healthcare, clean drinking water, livelihoods, and sports.
The proposed expansion will increase NINL’s production capacity from 0.981 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) to 9.5 MTPA without additional land requirements. The two-phased expansion plan will include state-of-the-art facilities such as raw material handling systems, a coke plant, sinter plant, blast furnace, steel melting shop, and rebar and wire rod mill.
Baseline environmental data collected from March to May 2024, covering air quality, water quality, noise, and soil conditions within a 10-km radius, has already been submitted to the SPCB for review.
The expansion project’s design incorporates cutting-edge technology to meet stringent environmental standards, with treated wastewater being fully reused within the plant.
This public hearing marks a significant milestone in NINL’s journey toward sustainable growth, supported by advanced technology and community-focused initiatives.
