State Pollution Control Board Odisha - Research & Development Wings
To be a leading research and development center for environmental protection, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable development and pollution control in Odisha and beyond.
To conduct cutting-edge research, develop indigenous technologies, and provide scientific solutions for environmental challenges while building capacity for sustainable environmental management.
Research & development in pollution control technologies, environmental monitoring, capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and collaborative partnerships for environmental protection.
The Research & Development Wings of the State Pollution Control Board Odisha is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing environmental science and technology. Established to address the growing environmental challenges in the state, our R&D division serves as a hub for innovation, research, and sustainable solutions.
We work at the intersection of policy, science, and technology to develop practical solutions for environmental protection. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers, scientists, and environmental engineers collaborate with national and international institutions to bring world-class research capabilities to Odisha.
Through our comprehensive approach encompassing research, innovation, capacity building, and knowledge sharing, we strive to create a sustainable environmental future for the people of Odisha while contributing to global environmental protection efforts.
Advancing Environmental Science Through Cutting-Edge Research
Details: Industrial smelters are major sources of fluoride emissions, which can contaminate multiple environmental compartments and enter the food chain. In Odisha, large aluminum smelter complexes located in Angul, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur (Hirakud) have raised growing concerns regarding elevated fluoride levels in water, sediment, air, and biota. Long-term exposure poses risks of dental and skeletal fluorosis and other systemic disorders in local populations.
Details: The Gangua River, once a natural drainage system for Bhubaneswar, has become heavily polluted due to untreated sewage, industrial discharges, solid waste dumping, and runoff from urban and peri-urban areas. Rapid urbanization, coupled with insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure, has turned the river into an open drain, posing risks to public health, urban ecology, and downstream water resources.
Details: Groundwater, a critical resource for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use, is increasingly threatened by contamination from industrial discharges, mining activities, waste dumping, and unregulated recharge practices. In Odisha, several regions near contaminated sites, industrial hubs, and habitation areas report elevated levels of heavy metals, nitrates, and microbial loads.
Despite isolated monitoring initiatives, there is no systematic, basin-wide program covering multiple contamination sources, with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for consistent monitoring and mitigation. Without such a framework, efforts to manage and protect groundwater remain fragmented, risking public health and long-term sustainability.
Details: Industrial clusters in Odisha, particularly those involving power, steel, mining, and chemical sectors, are highly water-intensive. With increasing pressure on water resources and rising wastewater generation, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) faces challenges in ensuring compliance with consent conditions and promoting sustainable water use .
Details: The Brahmani–Baitarani river basin is a vital ecological and economic lifeline for Odisha, supporting industries, mining, agriculture, urban settlements, and biodiversity. However, rapid industrialization, extensive mining, urban expansion, and growing water demands have placed unprecedented stress on the basin's resources. Rising pollution levels, habitat degradation, and unsustainable withdrawals pose risks to both ecological integrity and human livelihoods.
Details: Marine litter, particularly plastic waste, has emerged as a global environmental challenge, threatening coastal ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and human well-being. Along the Odisha coast, increasing tourism, fisheries, urban activities, and inadequate waste management contribute significantly to beach litter accumulation. Despite localized surveys, there is a lack of systematic, multi-year assessments that capture the magnitude, composition, and sources of beach litter. Without such evidence, effective mitigation strategies, stakeholder awareness, and policy measures remain limited.
Details: The Hirakud irrigated command area in Sambalpur, Odisha, is a major agricultural hub, supporting rice cultivation and vegetable production that sustain millions of people. However, intensive agrochemical use and effluents from surrounding industries have raised concerns about heavy metal accumulation and pesticide residues in soils, water, and food crops. Local communities have reported increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer, suggesting possible links between environmental exposure and public health outcomes.
Despite scattered studies, there has been no integrated investigation covering environmental media (water, soil, crops), food chain transfer, and human biological samples to establish clear exposure pathways. This knowledge gap prevents evidence-based interventions for health protection and sustainable agriculture.
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MoU with Different Institutes for Collaborative Research
MoU for collaborative research and academic exchange in environmental science and technology.
Joint research initiatives in toxicology, pollution control, and public health.
Collaboration for research in polymer science, plastic waste management, and environmental sustainability.
Collaboration for advanced research, technology development, and academic exchange in environmental engineering and science.
Partnership for research, innovation, and capacity building in environmental management and sustainability.
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