New Delhi: A contest organised by state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), seeking ideas to dispose off close to 50 million tonnes of fly ash that it produces, has received entries from Tata Power, Berger Paints and Damodar Valley Corp, among others. India's largest power producer, which is engaged in the generation and sale of electricity, announced this competition last month with a top prize of Rs 5 lakh.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in December order all state pollution control boards and pollution control panels to implement the environment ministry's notification on fly-ash utilisation from coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants by December 31.
"The objective of this competition is to find out innovative methods/ ideas which are commercially viable and practically implementable for achieving 100% Ash Utilisation at NTPC in an environmentally friendly manner," NTPC says on its website. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in December order all state pollution control boards and pollution control panels to implement the environment ministry's notification on fly-ash utilisation from coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants by December 31. About 45 percent of the electricity produced in the country is based on coal.
Fly ash is a residual that is produced after coal is burned. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, coal and lignite power stations are required to use 100 percent of the ash generated within 15 years of their commissioning, with most firms faltering on this matter.
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