Bhubaneswar: Strengthening environmental governance and digital monitoring, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Odisha, in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar, has launched a pioneering mobile application to enable real-time tracking and monitoring of fly ash transportation across the state.
The digital application was officially unveiled on December 31, 2025, by Chief Secretary and Chairman, SPCB, Shri Manoj Ahuja, at the Conference Hall of the State Pollution Control Board. Launched on the concluding day of his tenure, the application has already undergone field testing and is ready for immediate implementation.
In the first phase, the system will be implemented in four power plants—Aditya Aluminum, Lapanga; JSW Bhushan Ltd, Thelkoloi; Vedanta Ltd, Jharsuguda; and Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), Banharpali. The initiative will subsequently be extended to other power plants across Odisha.
The mobile application operates on a three-tier framework involving power plants, transport drivers, and SPCB Regional Officers. Its key technological features include GPS-based real-time tracking, QR code verification, geo-fenced transport routes, verified trip closure, and automated alert generation in case of route deviation or non-compliance.
Under the system, fly ash-laden trucks will be allowed to exit thermal power plants only after scanning two sets of QR codes at the plant gate, digitally recording both the vehicle details and the approved destination. The trucks will then move along pre-approved geo-fenced routes, preventing illegal dumping. Trip closure will be completed automatically at the designated destination after uploading a photograph of the empty vehicle.
Officials said the application will play a crucial role in curbing environmental hazards caused by indiscriminate and unauthorised disposal of fly ash. By ensuring that every trip is digitally logged and monitored in accordance with Fly Ash Notification provisions, the system will enhance transparency and accountability. The use of real-time dashboards and instant alerts will also enable the SPCB to take swift action against violations, significantly strengthening environmental compliance across the state.