Vedanta’s Sterlite copper unit in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu has been permitted to re-open temporarily for four months to produce oxygen amid a shortage of gas supply, the state government said on Monday. The plant was closed in 2018 after locals protested over environmental pollution. Today’s decision was taken in an all-party meeting.

“As per the Supreme Court directive, the power supply may be allowed for Vedanta’s Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin for four months to repair and operate oxygen producing and related equipment only,” it was resolved in the meeting, news agency PTI reported.

Earlier in the day, the meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to discuss the re-opening of the plant to produce medical oxygen.

People are dying due to lack of oxygen, the Supreme Court had said on April 23, asking why the Tamil Nadu government cannot take over the Sterlite copper unit for producing oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients.

The apex court was hearing Vedanta’s plea seeking opening of its unit at Tuticorin on the ground that it would produce a thousand tonnes of oxygen and give it free of cost to treat COVID-19 patients.

The top court, which was informed by senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan appearing for Tamil Nadu that he would file an affidavit on the issue, posted the matter for hearing on April 26.

The apex court had Thursday termed the COVID-19 situation as almost a “national emergency” while agreeing to hear Vedanta’s plea seeking opening of its unit.