NGT ISSUES NOTICE TO MCL OVER COAL TRANSPORTATION POLLUTION IN TALCHER
Dhiramoha Ray,Odishabarta
Talcher:The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has issued notice to Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and other authorities in a case alleging environmental violations due to uncovered transportation of coal through railway wagons in Talcher, Odisha.
The notice was issued while hearing Original Application No. 24/2026/EZ filed by Raj Kishore Sahoo under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The applicant alleged that MCL is operating multiple railway sidings connected to its opencast mines without mandatory Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.
It was further alleged that coal is being loaded and transported without tarpaulin covering, causing serious air pollution.
Repeated complaints were reportedly submitted to East Coast Railway authorities in 2025, but no effective action was taken.
The application also cited Central Pollution Control Board data showing an Air Quality Index of 312 in Talcher on January 22, 2025, placing the area in the “very poor” category. Talcher has been identified as a non-attainment city for PM1.0 and PM2.5 standards.
After examining the matter, the Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. Afroz Ahmad observed that the case raises substantial environmental questions. The Tribunal granted six weeks to the respondents to file replies and listed the matter for further hearing on April 16, 2026.
