Bhubaneswar: The State government today said that the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) is planned for Talcher town to keep it free from pollution. City Action Plan and Annual Action Plan have been prepared and are being implemented by Talcher Municipality for the purpose, said Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh R Singhkhuntia.
Responding to a query by BJD MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan regarding government action to make Talcher pollution-free, the Minister informed the House that a financial assistance of Rs.307 crore has also been provided by the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change of the Union Government between 2019 and 2024 for this programme. Through this scheme, road widening, road cleaning with mechanized road sweepers, irrigation in air-prone areas, tree plantation etc. are being undertaken, he added.
He said that all the mines in Angul district are functioning with due permission from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB). Various guidelines are laid down for control of water and air pollution in the consent form obtained from the OSPCB, the Minister said.
Furthermore, these factories and coal mines are inspected on regular interval by pollution control body. All coal mines in Angul district have adopted the necessary pollution control measures.
However, Talcher Super Thermal Power Station, NTPC Ltd., Kaniha, Angul M/s. National Aluminum Company Pvt. Ltd., (Smelter & CPP), Angul found to be causing water and air pollution were found to have flouted the SPCB norms. These companies have been issued directives for immediate action, Singhkhuntia said.
