Following a sulphuric acid leak on Sunday evening at the Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi, the company has urged the local administration to allow its officials access to the plant to undertake maintenance.

The company warned that in anticipating such incidents in the absence of regular maintenance, “we have been requesting the State government to give us limited manpower access and minimal power supply so that mandatory safety audits at the smelter can be regularly carried out. That request is still pending,” a company statement said.

The company said that it was observed during police surveillance of the plant facilities that there was a leakage from the sulphuric acid storage tank located in the copper smelter and “we requested the local administration to allow the company to take appropriate action to stop the leakage to prevent any mishap.”

Providing support

“We are already assisting the local administration to handle the situation and have offered all support to keep a vigil on the plant and its surroundings. We once again urge the government to give us at least restricted access to the copper smelter. We have had no access to the plant ever since it was suddenly sealed and locked ... from May 28.”

Last month, the State Government directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to seal the plant and close it down permanently. This followed violent protests over pollution concerns that led to police firing in which over 10 people were killed.

Thoothukudi District Collector Sandeep Nanduri said that officers from Pollution Control Board, Inspector of Factories, Revenue and police officials are at the plant to evacuate the leaked acid.

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