Vizag gas leak: AP HC allows relocation of LG Polymer plant to Sri City
In 2020, a Styrene vapor gas leak from the LG Polymers plant on the outskirts of Vizag city led to 12 casualties in the vicinity
By Newsmeter Network Published on 8 Dec 2023 4:10 AM GMT
Vijaywada: Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday permitted shifting of LG Polymers’ Engineering Plastic Compounding (EPC) plant from Vizag city to Sri City in Tirupati district.
The court also directed the management of LG Polymers to obtain permissions from various departments before relocating the plant to Sri City. The high court disposed of an interlocutory application filed by LG Polymers seeking directions for its relocation.
On May 7, 2020, a Styrene vapor gas leak from the LG Polymers plant at Venkatapuram village on the outskirts of Vizag city led to 12 casualties in the vicinity. The High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident. LG Polymers is a subsidiary of LG Chem Ltd, South Korea’s biggest petrochemical company.
Simultaneously, a few PILs were filed by various individuals seeking enhancement of the ex gratia announced by the company, action against those responsible for the incident, and ordering a CBI probe into the incident.
LG Polymers deputy manager (legal) P Arun Kumar filed a supplementary petition seeking permission to relocate the plant to Sri City. Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, senior counsel S Ravi informed the court that they had deposited Rs 143 crore in the Collector of Visakhapatnam's account, on the High Court's directions.
The high court has been monitoring the investigation into the case and compensation being paid to the victims.
Senior counsel S Ravi argued for the company stating that they want to relocate the plant in public interest and will take up the process without causing any inconvenience to the public. He also submitted that they would accept the conditions imposed by the AP government.
The special government pleader C Sumon said they do not have any objections if the management of LG Polymers follows the norms imposed by the AP government.
After hearing the arguments, a division bench of Justice U Durga Prasad Rao and Justice M Kiranmayee allowed the interlocutory application permitting the company to relocate the plant subject.
It may be recalled that Vizag city police arrested 12 persons, including the chief executive officer and two directors of LG Polymers Ltd, and suspended three officials for negligence, two months after the gas leak from the plant.
