Odisha govt stresses on max utilisation of fly-ash

Reported by Sandeep Pattnaik
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28:

The thermal power producing industries [TPP] in Odisha might henceforth lose permission to operate their plants, if they failed to utilize fly-ash, one of the residues generated during production, as decided by the government during a meeting on ‘Utilisation of fly-ash’ here in the state secretariat on Saturday.

There are around 33 industries in the state that generate fly-ash to the tune of around 24 million tones [MT] annually. In 2013-14 itself, 60% of the total fly-ash generated i.e. around 15 MT were utilized, officials informed during the meeting.

The government has directed the respective district collectors to ensure maximum utilization of fly-ash which causes environmental hazards. The fly-ash can be used in filling of pot holes, construction of roads etc.

Besides, the government has also directed to stop the use of red bricks in the areas where the TPPs are located and make the use bricks made out of ashes compulsory, as decided in the meeting.

It is to be noted that, the Industrial Policy Resolution, 2007 envisages micro, small and medium [MSME] enterprises to lay emphasis on utilization of fly-ash. Besides, the policy provides for Rs 2 lakh incentive / concession to the industries manufacturing fly-ash bricks as per the Bureau of Indian Standard Certification (ISI) specifications.