The National Green Tribunal’s eastern bench has taken up a plea challenging the environmental clearance granted to Mahanadi Coalfields’ Subhadra Open Cast Mine, located in Odisha.
The tribunal has issued an order directing the state pollution board to submit its response to the concerns raised. These concerns specifically revolve around the baseline data for benzene and the adherence to NABL reporting standards.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of environmental clearances and the data used to support them. Questions have been raised about the accuracy and reliability of the benzene baseline data, as well as the quality standards for reporting.
Source: Down To Earth