Coal based power plant not only generates electricity but also generates leaps of fly ash. In 2013-14, about 173 million tonnes of ash was produced and only 57.63 per cent of this could be used in construction and land filling activities. It is estimated that a whopping 260 million tonnes of fly ash will be generated by 2020.
On the direction of National Green Tribunal, recently a meeting was held in the power ministry inviting suggestions from various stakeholders with an aim to increase the utilization of ash. NTPC, whose power plants generate maximum fly ash, submitted its response in writing (see box).
