Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of  Sridhar Samal Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 06/03/2024.

The matter related to pollution caused by Talcher Coalfield under Mahanadi Coalfields Limited in the course of its operation. It was said that on a daily basis about 5000-10000 coal laden trucks ply from the coal mines to different places in India. It is also stated that the passage of these trucks mostly happens within the Talcher city and then it touches NH-149 which also passes within the city. It was alleged that these trucks do not take any preventive or precautionary measures to ensure that coal dust from the trucks does not leak outside and pollute the city.

It was also alleged that dust pollution is so high that visibility becomes very difficult most of the times and in most of the households and other structures there is a black layer of coal dust everywhere. Villages like Balhar, Lingaraj, Nandira, Balanda, Thermal area, Tentulei village, Bada Danda Sahi, Baghmara and Diajharan are the most affected villages because of such air pollution. It was also alleged that in addition to the coal dust, fly ash has also damaged most of farmlands and water bodies passing through the city. It was stated that Tentulei village, Bada Danda Sahi, Baghmara and Diajharan are worst affected villages due to leakage of fly ash and coal dust from the nearby coal mining activities of Mahanadi Coalfields. It was also stated that as per National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) an air quality management cell has been formed in the Talcher Municipality in July, 2021 with the aim to reduce and check the pollution in Talcher city but in practical sense this team is not functioning properly.

The court, March 6, 2024 directed notice to be issued to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, Odisha State Pollution Control Board among others. The eastern bench of the NGT directed a three member committee to visit the site in question and submit its report on affidavit within four weeks tith regard to the allegations made in the application.