SC allows upkeep of Sterlite Tuticorin unit

The Supreme Court Monday allowed Vedanta to carry out "necessary" maintenance work at Sterlite's shuttered copper plant at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu on the recommendations of a state-appointed committee.

Sterlite Copper's plant has been closed since mid-2018 following protests by activists and local groups. The unit had accounted for more than one-third of the country's copper output before it was closed.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Vedanta to carry out the "necessary consequential steps" for the upkeep of the plant after it sought permission. Vedanta can carry out the evacuation of remaining Gypsum and SLF Leachate Collection Sump Pump Operations every day to avoid any environmental degradation and also undertake the maintenance of the green belt and clearing of the wild bushes and dried trees.