ANGUL: Opening of the 21-km long coal corridor for plying of heavy vehicles at Talcher in the district has turned out to be a boon for the local population with significant reduction in pollution and its positive impact on environment in the inhibited areas. Constructed by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) at an estimated cost of Rs 243 crore, the coal corridor was opened on December 15 last year.
It has reduced daily movement of heavy vehicles, including coal- laden trucks through village roads and colonies, which was earlier a serious matter of concern. “The coal corridor will not only reduce the risk of life due to movement of heavy vehicles through inhabited areas but also reduce carbon footprint in residential areas,” said AK Jha, Chairman and Managing Director, MCL.
Strengthening of this mega project is being taken on a war footing. By March 2018, this energy-line of 20.99 km connecting Balram, Bharatpur, Jagannath, Ananta, Bhubaneswari and Lingaraj projects directly to National Highway (NH-200) will be converted to 10.5 metres wide pucca road with one and a half metres of concrete pavement on either side, Jha added.
The average pollution index has shown a significant drop in Talcher after the coal-laden vehicles were diverted to the corridor, the MCL claimed. Covering an area of 500 sq km in Angul district, Talcher Coalfields has reserves of 38.65 billion tonne dry fuel, the highest in India.