Tamil Nadu board warns Tata iPhone plant shutdown

A major iPhone component factory in India faces a potential shutdown after a state pollution regulator alleged it contaminated groundwater used by nearby farms. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has warned Tata Electronics that its facility in Hosur could have its power disconnected and be closed unless the company provides a satisfactory explanation for alleged environmental violations.

The dispute stems from complaints by local farmers, who for months reported that wastewater from the factory was damaging agricultural land and contaminating open wells used for irrigation. Following these complaints, the TNPCB conducted five inspections between December 2025 and May 2026. According to a regulatory notice dated May 25, inspectors found that wastewater from the plant was being discharged into an on-site rainwater harvesting pond. The notice alleges the pond overflowed, allowing contaminated water to seep into groundwater and affect adjacent farmland.

Authorities have also raised concerns about the company's response to earlier directives. The board stated that Tata Electronics was first notified of the issue in a letter dated December 23, 2025, but alleges that...