Vedanta Ltd Moves Madras High Court Against TNPCB's Refusal To Permit Green Copper Manufacturing Unit At Thoothukudi

Vedanta Limited has approached the Madras High Court challenging an order of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) refusing to permit its “Green Copper” manufacturing unit at the Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi. The bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan has directed the state government to respond to the plea. The court has also asked the State to express its stand regarding another prayer sought by Vedanta to set up a court-monitored multi-disciplinary expert committee, along with independent experts in relevant fields to scientifically, independently, and comprehensively examine Vedanta's proposal forthe Green Copper plant. The company submitted that Green Copper was produced with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to the conventional smelting processes. It was submitted that the company sent a proposal to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Department of Industries, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Ministry of Mines, but the same were not acted upon. It was further submitted that the company had previously approached the court over the non-consideration and the court had permitted the company to move applications before the competent authorities. Following this, the company approached the TNPCB for “Consent to Operate” (CTO), which was rejected without providing an advance notice or an opportunity to be heard. This prompted the company to approach the court with the present litigation. The company argued that the order of the TNPCB was issued mechanically without application of mind and stood vitiated due to violation of principles of natural justice and fair procedure. It has been submitted that the rejection order and not founded on any genuine scientific or technical assessment but purely on a pre-determined administrative approach. It has thus been submitted that a multi-disciplinary expert committee was necessary for expert evaluation. Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran, appearing for the company argued that the current proposal for Green Copper was different from the earlier smelting process of the company. He pointed out that instead of foreclosing the proposal, if TNPCB had afforded an opportunity to the company, it would have been able to explain the entire process. Opposing the plea, Additional Advocate General J Ravindran submitted that the Thoothukkudi area had already been declared as a contaminated area and thus the proposal was rejected considering environmental safety. The AAG also submitted that it would file its response to the plea. Following this, the court directed the State to file its response and adjourned the plea. Case Title: Vedanta Limited v. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and others Case No: WP 4866 of 2026

Vedanta Ltd Moves Madras High Court Against TNPCB's Refusal To Permit Green Copper Manufacturing Unit At Thoothukudi

Upasana Sajeev

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