March 5, 2004
Environmental Care - Tata Sponge Shows The Way
Keonjhar bears mute testimony to the ever growing and irreversible damage being caused to mother nature by the rampant growth of unorganized industrial units in this district of Orissa. A difficult drive through the dilapidated NH 210 from Panikoili to Rourkela, which primarily locates most of these plants in the proximity of its stark expanse, unfolds the complete absence of environmental consciousness towards maintenance of natural surroundings by many of these units. This has consequently amplified the air, water and other forms of pollution that have swamped the areas surrounding these sponge iron plants to the detriment of the flora, fauna and human habitat. Regular demonstrations, writ petitions and PILs made by the afflicted residents from affected areas in the vicinity of these plants are yet to evoke any plausible improvement to this sordid state of affairs.
In sharp contrast to the saga of inefficient practices shown by the majority members of the sponge iron manufacturing family, Tata Sponge Iron Limited, the second oldest sponge iron plant in Orissa and situated at Bilaipada in Keonjhar district, demonstrates an exemplary care and concern that sets it apart from the rest of the DRI industry. Tata Sponge’s conscientious initiatives towards fostering a clean and green culture are evident in its plant and township (situated within a close proximity of only two kms).
Once a desolate land, the 300 acre area has now been transformed into a mini forest with over 150,000 trees which blanket the entire plant working area and township. Both the kilns have been well equipped with the required pollution control equipments viz. electrostatic precipitator, dedusting units, a dust suppression system, sludge ponds, water treatment facilities, water and chemical sprays on the raw materials on belts to prevent its flying, closed conveyor galleries, concreted roads and areas inside the plant for effective house keeping, a mobile vacuum cleaning van to keep the air free from dust caused by the movement of loaded vehicles on dirty roads, which are imperative to control the magnitude and varieties of pollutants typically generated in a sponge iron plant. A full fledged pollution control department, well equipped with contemporary pollution measurement instruments operates daily to monitor the regular compliance to pollution control norms, takes periodic readings at different locations in the plant, ensures continuous and efficient operations of various pollution control equipment and liaises with government authorities on various environmental issues.
The residual sludge generated from the first kiln is dumped in a waste yard within Tata Sponge premises and covered with sweet soil not only to prevent the dust from flying, but also to provide a green canopy on it by planting grass and other fast growing plants. For the disposal of fine ash generated in its power plant, besides adding value to it, a brick plant has recently been commissioned to convert the waste fly ash into strong and useful bricks; the proceeds of which are reserved for charity for the poor and destitute residing in the villages surrounding Tata Sponge. Besides, arguably the one of its kind in India, the Tata Sponge management has provided a hot water bath house inside plant premises for all its contract labourers for their daily bath after a hard day’s work which not only cleans and assuages their dirty and tired bodies but also prevents them from polluting the clean river water which would otherwise have been used by them for cleaning their bodies before returning home. Besides forestation, the vacant areas inside the plant have been converted into grassy lawns, lush green parks and flowering gardens.
Apart from necessitating huge expenditures, these equipments also entail a heavy repair and maintenance budget every year which, as per the accounts furnished by Tata Sponge, is Rupees three crore per annum.
The company has therefore been rightly recognized with the award of the prestigious ISO-14001 certification which leverages its already well established quality management (ISO-9001: 2000 version) and makes it the first sponge iron company in India to score a double distinction in both, quality and environment. Besides this, Tata Sponge has become the only sponge iron company to bag the GreenTech Environment Excellence Gold Award, a national accreditation awarded only to those industries which amply demonstrate a noteworthy commitment and achievement of to environmental stewardship and which can boldly integrate environment management with their business goals.