Representatives from the Thoothukudi People Livelihood Protection Association, along with residents from nearby villages, submitted a formal request to Member of Parliament Kanimozhi on 13 May, appealing for the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant.
In their plea, the group highlighted that for over two decades, the Sterlite Copper facility had provided direct and indirect employment to more than 20,000 individuals from Thoothukudi and over 50 neighboring villages. Additionally, 64 contractors depended on operations at the plant. Many had invested heavily in infrastructure—purchasing and customizing trucks solely for transporting copper concentrate from the VOC Port to the SIPCOT Industrial Estate.
The abrupt shutdown of the smelter not only stripped thousands of their livelihood but also pushed several contractors into financial ruin. Having taken substantial loans—often secured by mortgaging personal properties—many were left with no choice but to sell their vehicles at a loss after the closure.
According to S. Thiyagarajan, president of the association, the plant was unfairly targeted by a campaign that falsely linked it to a rise in cancer cases, branding Thoothukudi the “cancer capital.” He stated that environmental tests from multiple independent agencies found no basis for such claims. Nevertheless, the narrative persisted, leading to unrest and ultimately the closure of the facility. This move, he added, forced India to shift from being a copper exporter to a copper importer.
The petitioners also pointed to Sterlite’s humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. The company produced and distributed 2,266 tonnes of medical oxygen at no cost, providing life-saving support across 32 districts.
Despite incurring massive losses following the shutdown—estimated in thousands of crores—the plant has continued its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. These include scholarships for over 10,500 children whose families lost income during the pandemic, financial aid for women-led self-help groups, and funding for development initiatives in rural areas around Thoothukudi.
Given the scale of its socio-economic impact and the continued demand for employment, the petitioners urged the government to take immediate steps toward reopening the Sterlite Copper plant for the betterment of workers and local communities alike.
(With Inputs From The Hindu)
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