Jamshedpur, June 24: The regional office of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has decided to tighten the noose around sponge iron plants located in the districts of West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan.

Sources in JSPCB said the regional office initiated legal action against Bihar Sponge Iron Limited, Chandil, a couple of days ago.

A case has been filed at the Seraikela court for the alleged violation of pollution control norms. Action is also likely to be taken against other units, which have failed to instal necessary pollution control equipment in spite of repeated reminders from the board.

?We had no alternative but to initiate legal action against Bihar Sponge Iron Limited which has violated necessary pollution control norms in spite of our reminders. The legal action was taken against the company following a directive from the headquarters in Ranchi,? said Manikant Prasad, regional officer of the state pollution control board.

Board officials said most sponge iron plants located in the Adityapur industrial area of Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum were yet to instal the necessary equipment, including back-filter and electrostatic precipitator, in spite of repeated directives.

Constant exposure to dust emitting from the plants could lead to serious health hazards, including lung disease, pointed out a senior analyst at the regional office of JSPCB in Adityapur.

Sources revealed that the regional office of the state pollution control board is also planning to initiate legal action against five other sponge iron plants under its jurisdiction.

However, they refused to disclose the names of the units. ?We have sent a proposal in this regard to our headquarters and are waiting for its nod. The sponge iron plants are high polluters. This fact has been established by our regular surveys,? said a senior official of JSPCB.

Chairman of the state pollution control board, Tileshwar Sahu, recently expressed concern over rising pollution in the Adityapur and Gamharia industrial areas.

He has instructed the officials concerned to take action against industries, which are found guilty of violating pollution control norms.