India: proposed Karnataka plants denied environmental clearance

The federal Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has put a hold on proposals to build two cement plants and associated limestone mines in Kalaburgi, Karnataka, according to the Times of India.

The two projects affected were put forward by India Cements and JSW Cements. The India Cements project was blocked by the MoEF due to concerns it would decrease agricultural productivity, while the JSW proposal was declared ‘premature’ as its plan for limestone extraction was based on potential reserves rather than the mineable fraction.

When approached by the Times, the Karnataka industry department said that the were not aware of the MoEF’s decision and insisted that the state was still an attractive destination for investment.