Tata Steel gets EC for Haldia Coke plant expansion

Tata Steel has received environment clearance (EC) for expansion of its Haldia coke plant in West Bengal, Asia’s biggest standalone unit, from 1.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 2.2 MTPA, entailing investment of Rs 769.45 crore. “The Environment Ministry has given the EC to Tata Steel for expansion of its coke oven plant to 2.2 MTPA subject to certain conditions,” a senior government official said. The company has been asked to ensure that the coke oven plant meets visible emission standards notified by the ministry and all affluents should be treated and used for dust suppression and green belt development. It has also been asked to use maximum water from rain harvesting sources and develop green belt in 33 per cent of the plant area. Among other conditions, Tata Steel has been asked to spend 2.5 per cent of the total cost of the project towards enterprise social commitment, the official said. At present, Tata Steel Ltd’s Hooghly Metcoke Division operates a coke oven plant of capacity 1.6 MTPA metallurgical coke, adopting advanced Heat-Recovery (HR) coke making technology, at Haldia in Purba Medinipur district. The plant also generates 120 MW of electric power, utilising the sensible heat of hot flue gas from coke oven.