MPCB to act tough against MahaGenco as fly ash continues to flow into Kanhan river
   Date :14-Oct-2022

fly ash,Kanhan river 
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
As MahaGenco failed to take any measures to stop flowing of fly ash slurry into Kanhan river through Waregaon ash bund of Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station in last couple of days, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is all set to initiate stern action against the power generation company for non-compliance.
A team of MPCB visited the overflow point of Waregaon fly ash bund on Wednesday. Due to heavy rains, fly ash is overflowing from the Waregaon ash bund and mixing with Kanhan river. The Orange City Water (OCW)-run Kanhan Water Treatment Plant (WTP) had stopped functioning due to mixing of fly ash into the water.
“We have visited the site and found mixing of fly ash into the river water. MPCB is already calculating the environment compensation of Khaperkheda TPS for polluting the river. The Board will take more action against the company soon,” said Umakant Bhadule, Sub Regional Officer, MPCB, Nagpur.
“Khaperkheda TPS has made all out efforts for stopping the discharge of ash bund water into Waregaon Nullah. Ash bund water recovery system has also been provided to the ash bund. The recovered water is being utilised for ash disposal purpose,” stated a press release issued by MahaGenco, on Thursday.
Patrolling teams have also been deputed for monitoring of ash slurry lines and ash bund areas by the TPS.
According to MahaGenco, “Raising of Waregaon ash bund height has been proposed by Khaperkheda TPS. The work is likely to cost Rs 109 crore. DPR for the same has been submitted to the Board. It will take about two-and-a-half years to complete the work.”
The press release also stated, “The incident took place only due to force measures that is overflow of Waregaon ash bund waste weir portion and outflow of excess rainwater from nearby area of Waregaon Ash bund because of heavy rain, which was uncontrolled, though sufficient infrastructure was available at ash bund.”
From Wednesday, OCW started treating water from Kanhan WTP which was hampered due to presence of fly ash in the river water. “We have started pumping water from the WTP by using the water flowing from Bina side,” said Sachin Dravekar, PRO, OCW.
Leena Buddhe, Founder, Centre For Sustainable Development (CFSD) who raised the fly ash issue at state-level said, “MPCB is just doing paper work in the name of action. Calculating environment compensation is just a eye wash in the name of action. The Board should take stern action against MahaGenco for polluting water.”
The flow of fly ash slurry is still going on in Kanhan river, but the TPS administration is not taking any efforts to stop it, said Buddhe.