Pollution board officials inspect MCL mines

Amid allegations of violation of pollution norms and wastage of coal by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), officials of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and the Mining Department on Monday visited two open cast mines at Basundhara-Garjanbahal area and took stock of the situation.

 Sources said OSPCB officials, HN Nayak and NC Nanda, visited the Basundhara and Kulda open cast mines, about 160 km from Rourkela, to inspect fire in the coal dumps and measures taken to contain it. Separately, a four-member mining team from Rourkela also visited the mines and enquired about quantity of coal dumped.