At the centre of controversy since it was first proposed in 1995, the four-lakh-tonne-capacity copper smelting plant of Sterlite at Tuticorin was rejected by three states, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra before it was finally allowed to set up in Tamil Nadu.

Sharing details around the controversy, Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Wednesday claimed the plant due to its ‘potential of creating environmental hazards’ could not find favour with the three states and it had allegedly “flouted norms by misrepresenting facts” to get final nod for its operation in Tamil Nadu.