The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued notices of proposed directions (NPDs) to nine factories in Koppal district for allegedly violating conditions stipulated in the consent agreements signed with the board. The industries served notices include Tanish Ispat Pvt Ltd Unit-1 (Sharavana Alloys Steel Pvt Ltd), Unit-2 (Harekrishna Metallics Steel Pvt Ltd) and Dhruvdesh MetaSteel Pvt Ltd at Hirebaganal; Baba Akhila Sai Jyothi Industries at Chikkabaganal; ILC Iron and Steel and Bhadrashree Steel and Power Ltd at Kunikeri; P Balasubbashetty and Sons at Halavarthi; SK Steels Tech Pvt Ltd; and Koppal Steels Pvt Ltd at Kerehalli village.
Deputy Commissioner's Report
Deputy commissioner Dr Suresh B Itnal, in a report submitted to the state government, stated that further action would be taken after KSPCB conducts another inspection based on the reply submitted by the factories. He confirmed that the district administration has also initiated action in connection with the issue.
Enforcement Actions Taken
Acting on the directions of the pollution control board, the district administration sealed two factories on May 21, and issued closure notices to three others. Officials indicated that further action would be taken after receiving the required approval from higher authorities.
Ongoing Protests
These developments come amid an ongoing agitation by the Jilla Bachao Andolan Samiti and Koppal Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike, which have been staging a dharna for the past 209 days. The groups demand the closure of polluting industries and oppose expansion of factories in the district. Following widespread media reports on pollution-related issues and concerns over the impact of industrial expansion, the chief minister's special duty officer directed the Koppal district administration to submit a detailed report to the state government.
