Indus Valley Times

By Akshya Rout

Kalinganagar, April 28 : Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) is placing sustainability at the core of its future growth, beginning with one of Odisha’s largest green drives in industrial belts with the plantation of 6 lakh saplings over the next four years. Designed as a scientific buffer against dust and noise for neighbouring villages such as Baragadia and Duburi, this initiative aims to strengthen biodiversity, improve air quality, and create a significant carbon sink. These environmental commitments form the foundation upon which NINL will undertake its planned expansion of crude steel capacity from 1 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) to 4.8 MTPA.

This environmental roadmap includes maintaining 455 hectares of green cover, of which 105 hectares are at Godigotha.  Going well beyond the mandated 25% requirement, the NINL plant already maintains 42.6% green coverage. To further protect nearby communities, NINL will install a 15‑meter‑high metallic wind‑screen barrier along the plant boundary and deploy advanced air‑pollution‑control systems. These will include high‑capacity bag filters and electrostatic precipitators across major production units such as the Sinter Plant and Blast Furnace.

Additionally, the plant is committed to achieving Zero Effluent Discharge (ZED) through a high‑capacity effluent treatment plant and dedicated sewage treatment systems. This closed‑loop water‑management system ensures that all water is treated and reused, with no discharge into any natural water body.

NINL is also prioritising decarbonisation and resource efficiency as it plans to explore the use of energy efficient Hot stoves, state of art Pulverised coal injection for its Blast Furnace, usage of waste heat in different processes, and aims to source renewable energy, including solar and wind. Logistics will also see a major shift, with diesel vehicles being replaced by electric or hydrogen‑based trucks as the technology will get esatblished for raw material and product movement. These efforts are further supported by a robust circular‑economy approach that targets 100% recycling or reuse of waste materials such as fines and slag. The project will also incorporate enhanced drainage‑conservation measures to protect the natural flow of the adjacent Kabati Nala.

By strictly adhering to the environmental safeguards mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NINL is setting a new benchmark for large‑scale industrial development aligned with environmental responsibility. It may also be noted that Tata Steel Kalinganagar has already planted around 7 lakh trees in and around its plant since the commencement of its operations.