Vedanta had urged the court to allow reopening of Sterlite plant on a trial basis to allow for maintenance. Pointing to the fact that the plant at the time of its operation met 36% of India's need for Copper, Vedanta submitted that India became a net importer of Copper after the plant was closed down in 2018.
Appearing for Vedanta, senior lawyer AM Singhvi argued that Sterlite plant directly employed 4 thousand people, while its downstream benefits flowed to over 2 lakh people. Vedanta claimed that the Madras High Court order wasn't based on principles of natural justice, and their industrial activity didn't lead to pollution beyond permissible limits. They claimed that both NAAQ (National Ambient Air Quality) and AQI (Air Quality Index) were within permissible limits.
On the other hand, local villagers from Tuticorin villagers opposed reopening of the Sterlite plant, even on a trial basis. They claimed that wells had dried up, drinking water was poisoned and people were affected by cancer due to pollution emanating from the plant. They claimed inaction by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to allow such a plant in the first place, and pointed to the High Court observation that such a plant can't be set up in residential zone.
Sterlite plant was closed in 2018 after Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) found violation of environmental norms. The state pollution control board had taken note of objections and protests against the plant by local villagers, who claimed that it was polluting land, air and water. After the protests turned violent, Tamil Nadu government ordered closure of the plant. While the NGT allowed the plant to reopen later, the top court set it aside due to lack of jurisdiction of the tribunal and sent the case to Madras High Court.
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