Bhubaneswar: Deputy Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, has written to the Collector and District Magistrate of Sundargarh, demanding immediate and stringent action against the illegal transportation and indiscriminate dumping of fly ash in different parts of the district.
In his letter dated July 1, 2026, the Deputy Speaker described the growing menace as a matter of serious concern that is causing severe environmental degradation, polluting agricultural land and water bodies, and affecting public health. He noted that such activities have triggered widespread anger among the local population.
Bhoi urged the district administration to constitute Special Task Forces in each of the three subdivisions to effectively tackle the issue. He suggested that each Task Force should comprise officers from the Police, Forest, Revenue, and Transport Departments, along with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. The forces should be provided with adequate manpower and dedicated vehicles for proper enforcement.
The Deputy Speaker proposed that the Task Forces operate round the clock in three shifts to conduct regular patrolling, monitor vulnerable locations, intercept vehicles transporting fly ash without authorization, prevent illegal dumping, seize offending vehicles, impose penalties as per law, and initiate criminal proceedings against habitual offenders. He also recommended surprise inspections in identified hotspots.
Additionally, Bhabani Shankar Bhoi requested that the Task Forces submit weekly action taken reports to the Collector’s office for review and that a district-level monitoring mechanism be established. He emphasised the need for active involvement of local Tahasildars, Sub-Collectors, and Sub-Divisional Police Officers to strengthen enforcement.
Expressing confidence in the administration’s response, the Deputy Speaker stated that timely intervention and effective coordination among concerned departments would go a long way in protecting the environment, safeguarding the interests of farmers and local residents, and ensuring strict adherence to environmental laws.
The letter comes against the backdrop of ongoing complaints regarding fly ash pollution in Sundargarh district.
The district administration’s response to this urgent appeal from the Deputy Speaker is awaited.
