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The National Green Tribunal has issued notices on a petition alleging pollution caused by railway coal transport in Odisha's Talcher region. The plea claims that railway sidings serving nine open-cast coal mines are operating without mandatory consent from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. The NGT's East Zone Bench in Kolkata has sought responses from concerned authorities within six weeks and scheduled the next hearing for April 16. The tribunal observed that the matter raises substantial environmental compliance issues that require detailed examination.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to concerned authorities after a petition alleged environmental damage due to coal transportation by rail in Odisha's Talcher coal belt. The matter is being heard by the East Zone Bench of the tribunal in Kolkata. Advertisement
The petition was filed by a resident of Talcher, who raised concerns that railway sidings connected to nine open-cast coal mines are operating without obtaining mandatory consent to establish and consent to operate from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. According to the petitioner's counsel, the absence of these approvals has resulted in unchecked coal handling and transportation activities, which are contributing to air pollution in the region.
The plea further stated that coal is being transported in large quantities through railway networks without adequate environmental safeguards, leading to dust emissions and deterioration in local air quality. Talcher is one of India's major coal-producing regions, and coal transport by rail forms a key part of the supply chain for thermal power plants and industrial users.
After reviewing the submission, the tribunal observed that the issue raised substantial questions relating to environmental protection and compliance under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The bench directed the concerned respondents to file their replies within six weeks.
The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 16, when the tribunal is expected to review the responses and consider further action.
Environmental concerns related to coal mining and transport in Talcher have been raised in the past as well. Residents and environmental groups have earlier pointed to dust pollution from mining operations, coal handling plants and transport corridors. The present petition brings specific focus to railway infrastructure linked to coal movement and whether statutory environmental clearances have been properly secured.
The outcome of the case could have wider implications for coal logistics operations, particularly in regions where mining and transport activities are closely located to residential areas.
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