The Orissa government has realized that sponge iron units are major pollutants and has asked the manufacturers to focus on a clean, green and sustainable technology. Mr Raghunath Mohanty, steel and mines minister while addressing the 6th annual general meeting of Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturing Association, said that steel consumes substantial quantities of mineral resources amid simultaneously impacts adversely on the environment. While as many as 104 sponge iron units were in operation in Orissa, the state government had signed MoUs with 49 other companies for the setting up of steel mills. The Orissa Pollution Control and Prevention Board had slapped as many as 137 show cause notices to sponge iron units on charge of contributing to pollution.
