Bhubaneswar: In a push to balance industrial growth with environmental safeguards and social justice, a high-level review chaired by Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday outlined stricter enforcement of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) measures and new curbs on fly ash transportation across key coal-bearing regions.
Held at Lok Seva Bhavan, the meeting assessed land acquisition and displacement-related challenges arising from thermal power and mining projects in Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts, with a focus on expediting relief and improving compliance.
Addressing pollution concerns, the minister directed that transportation of fly ash be regulated through time restrictions, with operations preferably shifted to night hours. He also called for all ash-carrying vehicles to be securely covered and gradually transitioned to container-based systems. Officials from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board were instructed to step up ground-level inspections and enforce environmental standards more rigorously.
Pujari emphasised the need to reduce reliance on road transport by adopting scientific disposal solutions, including underground mechanisms for fly ash management. He warned that any violation, including illegal dumping, would invite stringent legal action.
On displacement and land acquisition, the minister asked Mahanadi Coalfields Limited to prioritise issuing land titles and ensure that affected families are rehabilitated within their native areas wherever feasible. He reiterated that government land should be the first choice for industrial expansion, limiting private land acquisition to exceptional cases.
Reinforcing the state’s stance on inclusive development, companies were directed to ensure adequate compensation, generate employment for locals, and implement welfare initiatives for displaced communities. “Development cannot come at the cost of people’s safety and dignity,” Pujari stated.
The review also proposed revisiting land acquisition norms, including removing non-coal-bearing areas from the Coal Bearing Clause via the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC). Additionally, priority will be given to acquiring land already rendered uninhabitable due to industrial or mining activities.
Industries have been asked to develop structured resettlement colonies with essential infrastructure, while the state is in the process of introducing a revised R&R policy to address existing gaps and streamline support for displaced populations.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Padhee, along with representatives from key public sector entities such as NTPC Limited and Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited. District collectors and industry stakeholders joined both physically and virtually.
