In a swift response to deteriorating air quality, the Collector and District Magistrate of Angul has invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to impose a series of stringent restrictions in Talcher Municipality, a major coal mining and industrial hub in Odisha.
The order, issued on January 3, 2026, cites the “poor air quality in Talcher Municipality” and aligns with Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-II guidelines to curb dust and emissions. Talcher has recently recorded alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, frequently exceeding 350-400, making it one of India’s most polluted towns in early 2026, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
Key restrictions include:
- A complete ban on all construction activities between 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM every day.
- Prohibition on any demolition or earthwork within municipality limits.
- Mandatory water sprinkling on all roads at least three times a day by the Municipal Corporation Limited (MCL) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- Ban on entry of heavy trucks into Talcher town.
- Strict curbs on open burning of waste, coal burning in dhaba etc., and open fires.
- No movement of coal and ash trucks during day time without covering tarpaulin as per NH-149 guidelines.
- Separate restrictions to be issued by Sub-Collector, Talcher, and RTO for coal transportation.
The order also mandates daily monitoring by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Talcher, with compliance reports submitted to the district office. It remains in force for seven days unless extended, directing police, municipal authorities, and executing agencies to ensure strict enforcement.
Talcher’s air pollution woes stem largely from its extensive coal mines, thermal power plants, and industrial activities in the Angul-Talcher belt. Recent CPCB readings have placed Talcher at the top of national pollution charts, with AQI levels in the ‘very poor’ to ‘hazardous’ category, posing serious health risks to residents, including respiratory issues.
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