POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD STANDS SILENT AMID TOXIC ATMOHOSPHERE AT TALCHER
Dhiramohan Ray,Odishabarta
Pollution levels in Talcher increasing due to Toxic Fumes
TALCHER.12/06/25:The air pollution level in Talcher is increasing day by day. Even in urban areas, it is becoming difficult to get clean air. This situation has arisen due to the increase in heavy vehicle traffic in the city coal mines year-round, dust from continuous construction work, and destruction of greenery. The residents of Talcher city are facing breathing difficulties due to heavy air pollution, that has a much higher rate.
Similarly, in January, the State Pollution Control Board had reported that air pollution in Talcher had reached hazardous levels. Even in Talcher, the residents of the city are inhaling more sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and toxic dust particles than they are inhaling. Due to which there is a risk of diseases like heart attack, respiratory diseases, lung cancer, tuberculosis, asthma.
According to the report received by the State Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Talcher area this year was the highest at 294 and the minimum at 120.
A survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment in November 2022 revealed that Talcher in Odisha is one of the cities in the country that is under the grip of air pollution. Pollution levels are increasing in urban areas due to vehicles, industrial sites, construction work, and burning of solid waste.
Normally, the air should contain dust particles and pollutants less than 10 microns in size. But which should be within 100.
But, despite such an impossible situation, the Pollution Control Department is not paying attention to it. Sources said that the amount of water that should be sprayed on the coal corridor road in the Talcher coal mines area is not being done. Water is also not being sprayed on the national highway passing through Talcher city.
As a result, thousands of trucks plying from the mines every day, causing dust and smoke, polluting the air. Not only that, coal fires are breaking out every day in the coal stock of all the coal mines in the Talcher areas. The said fires heat the atmosphere and the smoke emitted from it is unbearable on the part of the people. Similarly, a white cloud is formed every evening due to the coal lumps and dust and smoke. This white cloud of smoke is causing headaches and burning eyes of the people, that could not be estimated and taken action against the companies causing such man hunting situation through Pollution Control Board authorities
