MPCB raps Khaperkheda TPS as it misses fly ash removal deadline

Staff Reporter

Months after Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray’s order to stop the unscientific dumping of fly ash in Nandgaon ash pond and remove all dumped ash from there within 15-days, the MahaGenco failed to remove ash from the Nandgaon pond and it will take 3-4 more months to remove it completely.

According to a report by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station (TPS) could lift only 59,792 MT fly ash so far in 2,055 trips, and thus failed to comply with the directions issued to lift entire ash within 15 days.

The report stated that it would take 3-4 more months for the authority to completely remove the ash from the ash bund. However, the report also mentioned that MPCB is not yet observed the fresh ash disposal status in the Nandgaon pond. Slamming KTPS for its negligent attitude, MPCB also served a show-cause notice to the authority for non-compliance and violation of environment norms recently. MPCB gave another 15 days time to KTPS to remove entire accumulated ash in the Nandgaon ash pond and restore or rejuvenate the pond having 258 ha area so as to achieve its original state. The Board also directed to submit another Bank guarantee of Rs 20 lakh to ensure the compliance of the directions.

It also directed to remove existing infrastructure including pipelines laid for disposal of fly ash into the pond permanently within 15 days. KTPS also have to provide time bound action plan for utilisation of legacy ash accumulated in Waregaon ash pond within 15 days. Since November 2021, about 1,25,000 MT fly ash as disposed at Nandgaon ash pond without providing HDPE lining. KTPS also failed in utilisation of 100% ash in 2021-22. It just utilised 33.57% in 2021-22 so far. About 275 lakhs MT legacy ash in ash pond is still there and KTPS has not yet submitted time bound action plan for utilisation of legacy ash accumulated in Waregaon ash pond.

“The pace at which the ash is being removed is very slow. As a result of this all the ash will get mixed into the artificial lake that has been formed inside the ash bund,” Leena Buddhe, Founder, Centre For Sustainable Development (CFSD) told The Hitavada.

“During monsoon there is flooding and the gates near the pump house are opened and the water flows directly into the Pench river. The water supply to Nandgaon village is pumped from the jack well located in the Pench river. So when the ash will flow, it will definitely pollute the drinking water source of Nandgaon village,” said Buddhe.

“The villagers are also complaining that the data of 2055 trips is incorrect and as of date the ash lifting has completely stopped,” she added.