NALCO institutes water study for proposed smelter

Bhubaneswar, Nov 1 (PTI) National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), has engaged Lahmeyer International for conducting water availability study for its proposed greenfield smelter in Orissa's Sundargarh district, official sources said.

The Navratna PSU's move came following the state government's suggestion to look for new sites after its proposal to build the second smelter in Orissa near Jharsuguda was not considered due to crowding of smelting industries in the region and the attendant pollution.

"The company expects to get the state government's nod to set up the plant in Sundargrah district, if the study establishes availability of adequate water," NALCO CMD B L Bagra said. NALCO requires around 90,000 cubic meter of water per day for the proposed smelter project. "The study report would be available by December this year and the company would review the project size and composition based on the findings," Bagra said.