Current Affairs 2022 : Fly Ash Management in India

By Yash Singhal

Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) developed guidelines for the safe disposal of fly ash generated by multiple sources. Let us read in details about the issues associated with the Fly Ash Management in India.

As we all know that the Indian peninsula has one of the world's fastest-growing economies; thus, every country wants to invest in India and benefit from the highs that this region can provide to its investors. However, with such rapid growth comes a massive increase in energy demand as well as a corresponding increase in infrastructure to meet the needs of such a large population. Thermal power plants generate nearly 70% of the total electricity produced in India, according to the International Energy Agency (TPPs). Thermal power plants run on fossil fuels, which generate tonnes of fly ash, which must be disposed of with extreme caution because, if not disposed of properly, it can cause respiratory problems, skin disease, eye irritation, and other health problems. As a result, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) developed guidelines for the safe disposal of fly ash generated.

Fly Ash Management in India

In India, as of now most of the TPPs make a slurry and then carry through pipelines to a safe zone then disposed into a pond and finally to the water bodies that causes huge biodiversity loss and turning fishes grey residing in those water bodies. Hence, to incentivise safe disposal and penalise biodiversity loss, CPCB has issued fresh guidelines that will help in the proper utilisation of fly ash and increase the revenue of TPPs as well. For that CPCB has mandated TPPs to utilize 100% of the fly ash produced within a period of 3 to 5 years. Under the principle of ‘Polluter pays principle’(Under the 'polluter pays principle is the widely accepted practise that those who cause pollution should bear the costs of controlling it to prevent harm to human health or environmental damage) CPCB has also introduced a fine of 1000 rupees/ton on non-compliant plants. Under this principle polluting plants will deposit the fine in the account of CPCB and then this money will be utilised for the safe disposal of fly ash by the board.

Optimal utilisation of fly ash: In order to facilitate 100 per cent ash utilisation by all coal-based thermal power plants, the government has launched a web portal for monitoring fly ash generation and utilisation data of Thermal Power Plants, as well as a mobile-based application titled "ASH TRACK." An awareness programme for the use of fly ash and its products has been developed by Ash-Park and is being implemented on a variety of platforms. The roles that were played NTPC: It has been developed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) an infrastructure that allows it to transport fly ash from power plants in large amounts to cement plants at a minimal cost. The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) intends to turn the fly ash it produces into a revenue-generating by product. This is demonstrated by the development of geo-polymers and nano aggregates from residual fly ash for use in the construction of roads and houses. It also announced a contest for both employees and the public to invite ideas for the sustainable utilization of fly ash and also for the conservation of the environment. In order to facilitate more participation, NTPC has declared prize money totalling 1.2 Million, with the first prize of 500K rupees.

Fly ash is utilised in a variety of industries, with the construction industry serving as the primary consumer of fly ash. Fly ash is used in a variety of industries, including the cement industry, ready-mix concrete, and road construction. Another application for it is in the production of bricks, which results in the preservation of topsoil, which is the most fertile soil in terms of agricultural production.

Issues related to Fly Ash Management

Fly ash contains toxic and heavy metals in high concentrations. The ponds where fly ash is typically disposed of are in poor condition. Fly ash becomes dry as the temperature rises, and it becomes airborne as a result. As a result, it ranks among the most significant sources of air and water pollution. This we have seen in West Bengal, where the Kolaghat fly ash pond has led to severe health issues among people living nearby the pond (generally it is around 10Kms) along with that it has also affected Sunderban biodiversity as well. Fly ash pollutes the air in areas near coal-fired power plants, which contributes to air pollution. Apart from causing a variety of diseases, it also has the additional effect of decreasing the recharge of groundwater.
Though the government has already taken up various initiatives to reduce fly ash unsafe disposal, private firms have also shown up their interest in developing more efficient power plants that reduce fly ash production or make it useful for other products so it has more usage in different industries. So that it doesn’t damage the environment and help India to achieve its goal of being carbon neutral before its projected year.

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