MCL Asked To Construct Coal Transportation Corridors In Talcher, Ib Valley

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Pollution Control Board (OPCB) has asked the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) to expedite construction of dedicated corridors for coal transportation in Talcher and Ib Valley to curb pollution in the region.

“Construction of separate dedicated coal transportation corridor passing through the mining blocks avoiding the populated areas as envisaged and work started by MCL, shall be expedited and completed by March 2017,” said a letter of OPCB.

It also asked the central government PSU to complete dedicate coal transportation corridor in Ib Valley by March 2017.

Notably, Talcher and Ib Valley have been declared as critically polluted areas of the state. In both the areas, quite a large number of coal mines of MCL in operation and such large-scale mining activities has potential to pollute the environment unless environment issues are adequately addressed.

The pollution board also asked for installation of the continuous ambient air quality monitoring system (CAAQMS) in the two areas.

It was decided that four CAAQMS with data transfer facility will be installed in each coalfield.