TUTICORIN: Confirming that there is a minor sulphuric
acid leak in one of the storage tanks in the sealed Sterlite plant in
Tuticorin, collector Sandeep Nanduri said the acid will be safely removed from the plant on Monday. He said the public need not panic as the situation is under control.
The copper plant was sealed on May 28 following persistent demands from the people of Tuticorin city and nearby villages for years that culminated in a violent protest on May 22. Following the incident, water and power supply to the plant was cut and it was sealed on May 28.
Production was completely stopped and no staff has been to the plant since then. Acids and chemicals in the plant remain unattended. The collector said police personnel and officials who are engaged in surveillance in the plant brought to his notice a suspected sulphuric acid leak.
A file photo of the Sterlite plant which was shut down recently