NGT issues notices over coal transport pollution in Odisha's Talcher

Cuttack: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to multiple authorities over alleged environmental pollution linked to coal transportation in Odisha’s Talcher area, seeking their replies within six weeks.

NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata passed the order on Feb 16 while hearing a petition filed by Talcher resident Raj Kishore Sahoo alleging that the railway sidings connected to nine open-cast mines operated by the MCL are functioning without mandatory consent to establish and consent to operate from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).


Appearing for the petitioner, advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy argued that violations have contributed significantly to deteriorating air quality in the region.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench, comprising Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and Afroz Ahmad (expert member), observed, “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 directed that notice be issued to the respondents. Counsel Ashok Prasad accepted the notice on the behalf of senior divisional commercial manager, Khurda Road. The registry has been directed to issue notices to the chief secretary, member secretary of OSPCB, member secretary of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), chairman-cum-managing director of MCL and the district collector of Angul.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 16.

According to the petition, complaints dated May 30, Aug 9 and Sept 1, 2025, were submitted by the petitioner, members of the Mahanadi Koyla Thika Shramik Congress and local villagers to the area railway manager of East Coast Railway at Talcher station. The complaints alleged that coal was being transported in railway wagons without tarpaulin covers, resulting in severe air pollution.

The petition also cited CPCB data dated Jan 22, 2025, which recorded Talcher’s AQI at 312, placing it in the “very poor” category. Talcher has been classified as a non-attainment city for failing to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards with respect to particulate matter.

The petitioner has sought directions to stop coal loading and transportation without tarpaulin cover, assess environmental compensation and fix responsibility on officials for alleged lapses in enforcing environmental norms.