Bhubaneswar: The state government is preparing action plans for abatement of air pollution in the industrial towns of Angul, Talcher, Balasore and Rourkela.

Forest and environment minister Bijoyshree Routray said: "These action plans are being prepared in association with the Central Pollution Control Board."

The plans are under formulation in addition to the one which has been prepared for the critically polluted industrial areas of Angul-Talcher, Jharsuguda and IB Valley area and being acted upon.

Paradip has been detected as severely polluted area.

The identification of the critically polluted area and severely polluted area has been done on the basis of Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index, formulated by the board.

Its score has been brought down after implementation of the action plan prepared for the critically polluted areas, claimed the officials of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.

The state body is analysing the data received from the online system in association with the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago University, and steps are being taken to introduce a star-rating system to evaluate performance of air-pollution control equipment.

Besides, continuous online emission monitoring system have been installed in all highly polluting industries.

All industries have been directed to take appropriate measures to minimise fugitive emission.

Ambient air quality is monitored in nine major industrial areas of the state and preventive and remedial actions have been taken by the state body.

All major polluting industries have been directed to install air pollution control devices to meet the prescribed standard for emission.

The Odisha State Pollution Control Board issued closure notice on September 13 to Vedanta Limited's smelter plant, captive power plant and thermal power plant for breach of its ash pond.