Latest news with #OdishaStatePollutionControlBoard
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NGT pulls up OSPCB for violating own norms
CUTTACK: In a significant ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT's) east zone bench has pulled up the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) for granting permissions in gross violation of its own environmental guidelines to the Rengali railway siding operated by East Coast Railway (ECoR) in Sambalpur district. The petition, filed in 2024 by high court advocate Shivsankar Mohanty, alleged that loading and unloading of raw materials at the goods shed, situated at Rengali railway station, was causing serious environmental and health risks to the nearby residential population. The bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member) held that the Rengali railway siding is dangerously close to multiple sensitive public spaces. These include a government primary school at Chhauldhipa (100 m), another school at Station Basti (130 m), a modern public school (110 m), a Shiva temple (120 m), and a Maa Durga temple (95 m). 'We are surprised as to how the Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate was granted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board at the initial stage itself,' the bench observed, pointing out that the Board had violated its own guidelines dated April 16, 2010. Although the Rengali siding is currently non-operational and was used for only about a month, the Tribunal expressed concern over the regulatory failure. However, it ruled out the imposition of environmental compensation on the Railways, noting that the OSPCB had not alleged any fraud on the part of the former in obtaining the consents. 'The Railways cannot be penalised for the gross lapses committed by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board while granting Consent to Establish in violation of its own guidelines,' the bench stated. The Tribunal also took note of a fresh application submitted by the Railways on August 12, 2024, seeking consent to handle 13,500 MT of coal per month at the same site. It directed that no fresh Consent to Establish be granted in violation of the existing guidelines.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
NGT hauls up authorities for fly ash dumping on forest land
1 2 3 Cuttack: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday pulled up Odisha authorities over large-scale dumping of fly ash on forest land in Dhenkanal district and directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to identify the violator and initiate action, including recovery of environmental compensation. A Talcher-based NGO had filed a petition alleging that more than five acres of forest and govt land under Parjang tehsil had been encroached and fly ash illegally dumped. The petitioner was represented by advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy. The NGT's east zone bench in Kolkata had on Feb 25 constituted a committee led by the collector (Dhenkanal) to investigate the matter. Following an inspection on April 17, 2025, submitted a report on May 7, confirming the allegations, stating that there was large-scale dumping of fly ash over forest land, estimated at 40,687 MT, spread over 16,275 square metres (approximately 4 acres). In the July 22 order, the bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (expert member) observed that while the inspection confirmed the dumping, the committee was silent on the source of the fly ash. The bench criticised local authorities, including the tehsildar, divisional forest officer and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, for failing to detect the dumping, calling it a case of "dereliction of duty. " The NGT has directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to thoroughly investigate the source and violator, and initiate environmental compensation proceedings after giving the violator due notice and hearing. "Proceedings for recovery of environmental compensation shall be initiated against the violator," the order stated, while seeking a compliance report by Dec 31, 2025. On the issue of encroachment on govt revenue land, the bench clarified it did not fall within its jurisdiction unless an environmental aspect was involved. It took note of eviction proceedings already initiated against a private party encroaching upon Gramya Jungle land and asked the state authorities to complete the process and restore the land through tree plantation. For the part of Khalpal reserve forest found without forest growth, the bench directed that native tree plantation be carried out and the area secured with fencing or proper markings by Oct 31, 2025.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Nuapada admn declares it is free of single-use plastic
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The Nuapada administration has declared the district as single-use plastic free, becoming the first in Odisha to achieve the objective, officials said. District collector Madhusudan Dash had unveiled an ambitious month-long campaign that combined infrastructure development with community engagement. With the official declaration, Nuapada emerged as one of India's pioneering districts to formally eliminate single-use plastic, echoing this year's global theme of ending plastic pollution. As part of the initiative, 103 panchayat-level segregation sheds and two plastic waste management units were made operational to streamline waste processing. Simultaneously, widespread awareness and capacity-building efforts reached both rural and urban communities, inspiring active participation in over 700 cleanliness drives. Officials said further strengthening the district's ecological foundation, 1 lakh saplings were planted, and 500 green buffer zones created to mitigate pollution and restore degraded areas, setting a replicable model for sustainable, plastic-free living. "The commitment represents a significant step towards environmental sustainability," said collector Dash. "We're not just focusing on infrastructure, but also on creating lasting behavioural change in our communities." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The district also launched, 'Pakkhi paain dina tie' (A day for birds), an ecological initiative to protect local bird populations by installing nests and water bowls throughout Nuapada. The campaign garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Unicef and local NGOs.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SMC collects ₹3.91L in fines, seizes over 100 kg single-use plastic
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified its crackdown on single-use plastic users, seizing over 100 kg of banned materials and collecting Rs 3.91 lakh in penalties during the past five months According to SMC commissioner Vedbhusan, the seizures have steadily increased, with 16.5 kg confiscated in Jan followed by 27 kg in Feb, 31.7 kg in March, 12 kg in April, and 18.5 kg in May. The corresponding fines collected were Rs 59,700, Rs 124,300, Rs 45,000, Rs 89,300, and Rs 73,000 respectively. The enforcement drive, conducted jointly with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, had a three-phase approach. "We first raided business outlets and small vendors selling single-use plastic items. The second phase involved penalising large businesses while focusing on awareness for smaller vendors," said Vedbhusan. Deputy commissioner Shankar Prasad Sahu highlighted that the corporation has also banned paper cups for tea service from April 1, citing health concerns. "The coating in these cups is carcinogenic. We're promoting alternatives like glass, steel, and clay cups," he said. In an innovative move, the SMC has partnered with a cement factory to utilize non-recyclable plastic waste as refuse-derived fuel. "We're also exploring ways to create park benches and decorative items from plastic waste," said commissioner Vedbhusan. The corporation is working with SHGs to promote plastic waste recycling and reuse, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable waste management practices. Regional officer Satyanarayan Nanda of Odisha State Pollution Control Board confirmed that joint enforcement operations will resume next week after a brief pause, emphasising continued vigilance against single-use plastic violations.
