NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLED FOR ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON TALCHER POLLUTION.

Dhiramohan Ray,Odishabarta

Talcher,01/05/23:Talcher the city of Black Diamond considered as a most pollutant city in India. Talcher Coalfields of Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd. is one of the largest with about 52 BT of coal resources, which is 15% of total prognosticated coal resources in India. Talcher coalfields has produced more than 95 Million Tonne (MT) coal  during  FY22-23 and likely to produce about 200 MT in FY 2024-25 and about 300 by FY 2030 from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. Both central and state government earn crores of rupees as revenue from Talcher mines but in return local citizen get pollution and do suffer from so many hazarouds deaseases . Around 10,000 coal loaded trucks pass through NH 149 from Bankadhara square upto Banarapal junction. Thousand kgs of coal dust particles laying on both sides of road which is the major reason for pollution.

COLLECTOR ANGUL & STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD CHAIRMAN TO APPEAR IN PERSON IF FAILED TO SUBMIT REPORT

Recently, Shri Deba Prasad Sahoo RTI Activist had approached National Human Rights Commission on pollution issues of Talcher with a prayer to remove dust from entire stretch, sprinkling of water, distribution of mask banana with jaggery to school children and conduct of meeting on monthly basis to curb pollution. NHRC took this matter on serious note and issued direction to D. M. n Collector of Angul and Chairman of State Pollution Control Board on 9th February 2023. Two months passed but no concrete action has been taken ground. Being aggrieved Shri Sahoo once again approached NHRC in April and put demands for Action Taken Report from both authority. NHRC after careful consideration called for action taken report from Collector and SPCB Chairman within 4 weeks. If ATR not filed within 4weeks then Collector and Chairman will remain present in person as per fresh orders. Pollution is the major issue of Talcher and nobody serious for it. If NHRC & local administration failed to do something to stop this pollution then he will file PIL in Odisha High Court; Shri Sahoo added.