The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has ordered the closure of India Cements Ltd's Yerraguntla plant and initiated action against four more cement factories in Kadapa district, for non-compliance of the Board directions and standards as well as causing severe air pollution in surrounding areas.

The closure order was given in the interest of protecting public health and environment. The factory had not made an upgrade to its electrostatic precipitator to meet the PCB's emission standards. The electricity authorities were directed to disconnect power supply to ICL factory.

The other factories affected include India Cement's Chilamakur factory, Zuari Cements at Yerraguntla, Bharti Cements at Kamalapuram and Dalmia Cements at Mylavaram. Bharti Cements at Nallalingayapalli in Kamalapuram was ordered to supply a bank guarantee for INR140m (US$21.7m) within a week and provide automatic water sprinkling system along the roads to minimise dust emission within a month.

Warnings were issue to Zuari Cements Ltd at Yerraguntla and Dalmia Cements factory at Mylavaram.