Odisha widens Vedanta water probe, seeks historical drawal records
Odisha government widens a regulatory probe into Vedanta’s water use in Jharsuguda, demanding historical drawal records amid allegations of unauthorised groundwater extraction.
Odisha government has widened a regulatory probe into Vedanta Ltd’s water use in Jharsuguda district, demanding a detailed historical account of the company’s water sources and drawal records dating back to its aluminium plant construction. The Water Resources department ordered the Burla Irrigation Division to submit a report on the source, quantity and rates of water drawn, and to provide copies of the demand notice and related agreements after a complaint alleged unauthorised groundwater extraction.
Why did the Odisha government widen its probe into Vedanta water use?
The Water Resources department, led by Chief Engineer Bijay Kumar Sethy, instructed the Burla division superintending engineer to specify the exact period when M/s Vedanta Aluminium Ltd laid the pipeline from the Hirakud reservoir, the total quantity of water drawn during the plant’s construction, and to provide a copy of the demand notice raised for that period. He also asked for an approved copy of the drawal scheme and all agreements executed since the plant’s inception. The department additionally requested details of all water sources, excluding the Hirakud reservoir allocation, and copies of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board’s consent orders for sewage disposal. The August 21 letter to the Burla division SE read: “Specify the exact period when M/s Vedanta Aluminium Ltd laid the pipeline from Hirakud reservoir after allocation and submit an approved copy of the scheme of drawal, apart from the copies of all agreements and temporary agreements executed since the inception of the industry.”
What specific water records is the government requesting?
Three months earlier, the Odisha government served a demand notice of ₹233.11 crore to Vedanta for alleged unauthorised extraction from the Bheden river system, which included water charges, interest and a six‑times penalty that the company contested. The notice demanded detailed historical drawal records, and the department is now seeking those documents to verify compliance. Vedanta has contested the assumptions in the demand notice.
How could this probe affect Vedanta’s operations in Jharsuguda?
Satyanarayan Rao, president of the Anchalik Paribesh Surakhya Sangh in Jharsuguda, alleged that Vedanta operated numerous borewells without mandatory groundwater clearances, water‑drawal agreements or digital flow meters, relying on groundwater from 2005 to 2013 before the Hirakud pipeline became operational in 2013. The complaint said Vedanta extracted groundwater through borewells for industrial use without the required approvals, violating environmental laws and CGWA regulations. The Central Ground Water Board had previously asked the Odisha government to constitute a joint committee to investigate the alleged unauthorised groundwater extraction. The National Green Tribunal recently sought responses from the state government, the Central Pollution Control Board and Vedanta Ltd regarding illegal river water extraction and discharge of untreated industrial effluents into the river. If the investigation confirms unauthorised extraction, Vedanta may face further legal action.
What prompted the Odisha government to widen its probe into Vedanta’s water use?
The probe was widened after a complaint by Satyanarayan Rao alleged unauthorised groundwater extraction by Vedanta between 2005 and 2013.
Which department issued the directive to the Burla Irrigation Division?
The Odisha Water Resources department, led by Chief Engineer Bijay Kumar Sethy, issued the directive.
What period does the demand notice cover for water drawal records?
The demand notice seeks historical drawal records dating back to the plant’s construction, with the complaint referencing the period from 2005 to 2013.
What allegations did Satyanarayan Rao make against Vedanta regarding groundwater extraction?
He alleged that Vedanta extracted groundwater through borewells for industrial use without mandatory approvals, violating environmental laws and CGWA regulations.
Which regulatory body asked the Odisha government to form a joint committee to investigate the alleged unauthorised groundwater extraction?
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) asked the Odisha government to constitute a joint committee.
What penalty was specified in the demand notice issued to Vedanta?
The demand notice included a six‑times penalty for unauthorised extraction, along with water charges and interest.
Which tribunal sought responses from Vedanta on illegal river water extraction?
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) sought responses from the state government, Central Pollution Control Board and Vedanta Ltd.
Has Vedanta responded to the government’s request for historical drawal records?
No, an email sent to Vedanta seeking comment remained unanswered until the time of publication.
Rakesh Pradhan
District Correspondent, Jharsuguda
Rakesh Pradhan reports on Jharsuguda's industrial corridor, power and aluminium sector news, and civic administration for the Mirror.
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