NGT Takes Action on Coal Transport Pollution in Odisha's Talcher
The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) East Zone Bench has issued formal notices to several key authorities in response to allegations of significant environmental pollution stemming from coal transportation activities in the Talcher region of Odisha. This decisive legal move follows a petition filed by a local resident, highlighting critical regulatory lapses.
Petition Alleges Regulatory Violations by MCL
The Tribunal delivered its order on February 16, 2026, during proceedings initiated by Talcher resident Raj Kishore Sahoo. The petition contends that the railway sidings connected to nine open cast mines operated by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) are functioning without the legally required Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).
Representing the petitioner, advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy argued that these violations have substantially worsened the region's air quality, creating a public health hazard.
Bench Recognizes Substantial Environmental Questions
The Bench, composed of Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, noted the gravity of the allegations. "Prima facie the averments made in the application raise substantial questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010," the Tribunal observed.
Consequently, the Bench directed that official notices be issued to all respondents named in the case. Counsel Ashok Prasad accepted notice on behalf of the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the East Coast Railway at Khurda Road.
Wide Array of Authorities Notified
The Tribunal's Registry has been instructed to issue notices to a comprehensive list of high-level officials and bodies, including:
- The Chief Secretary of Odisha
- The Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB)
- The Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- The Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL)
- The District Collector of Angul
The respondents have been granted a six-week period to prepare and submit their detailed replies. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on April 16, 2026.
Detailed Complaints and Alarming Air Quality Data
According to the petition, repeated formal complaints were lodged on May 30, August 9, and September 1, 2025. These complaints were submitted by the petitioner, members of the Mahanadi Koyla Thik Shramik Congress, and local villagers to the Area Railway Manager of the East Coast Railway at Talcher Railway Station.
The core allegation is that coal is being transported in open railway wagons without mandatory tarpaulin covers, leading to the uncontrolled dispersal of coal dust and resulting in severe air pollution.
The petition further substantiates its claims with official data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A report dated January 22, 2025, recorded Talcher's Air Quality Index (AQI) at a concerning 312, categorizing it as "very poor." Notably, Talcher has been officially classified as a non-attainment city for persistently failing to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, particularly concerning particulate matter levels.
Relief Sought by the Petitioner
In light of these alleged violations and the documented environmental damage, the petitioner has requested the Tribunal to issue several key directives:
- An immediate halt to all coal loading and transportation activities that occur without proper tarpaulin covers.
- A comprehensive assessment and levy of environmental compensation for the damage caused.
- Fixation of responsibility on the concerned officials for their alleged failure to enforce established environmental norms and regulations.
This case underscores the ongoing tension between industrial activity, particularly in coal-dependent regions, and the imperative to protect public health and the environment through strict adherence to pollution control laws.
