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

CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) East Zone Bench has issued notices to multiple authorities over alleged environmental pollution linked to coal transportation in Odisha’s Talcher region.The Tribunal passed the order on February 16, 2026, while hearing a petition filed by Talcher resident Raj Kishore Sahoo alleging that the railway sidings connected to the nine open cast mines operated by the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (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 the violations have contributed significantly to deteriorating air quality in the region.Taking note of the submissions, the Bench, comprising Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, h 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 accordingly directed that notice of the application be issued to the respondents.

Counsel Ashok Prasad accepted notice on behalf of the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, East Coast Railway, Khurda Road. The Registry has been directed to issue notices to the Chief Secretary of Odisha, Member Secretary of OSPCB, Member Secretary of CPCB, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MCL and the District Collector, Angul.The respondents have been granted six weeks to file their replies. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 16, 2026.According to the plea, repeated complaints dated May 30, August 9 and September 1, 2025, were submitted by the petitioner, members of the Mahanadi Koyla Thik Shramik Congress and local villagers to the Area Railway Manager of East Coast Railway at Talcher Railway Station. The complaints alleged that coal was being transported in railway wagons without tarpaulin covers, resulting in severe air pollution.The petition also cited Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data dated January 22, 2025, which recorded Talcher’s Air Quality Index (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.