81% fly ash used in State last year

The State achieved utilisation of 81 per cent of the fly ash generated by different power industries during 2017-18.

It was revealed at a State-level review meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the State Secretariat on Thursday. ACS, Forest and Environment Suresh Chandra Mohapatra outlined the issues and State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Debidatta Biswal presented the updates for discussion.

The Chief Secretary directed companies to make all efforts for accomplishing 100 per cent utilisation of fly ash during the current year, 2018-19 and prevent environmental hazard. The law enforcement agencies and departments were directed to deal with the violations stringently in interest of the safety and health of the people.

Padhi directed them to display fly ash stocks in their websites. They were directed to transport fly ash free of cost for PMGSY and other asset creation projects of the Government within 300 km of distance from their companies. This transport cost free delivery would be limited to 100 km for other projects and manufacturers.

Presently fly ash is being utilized in the works like brick manufacturing, cement production, asbestos making, quarry filling, mine void filling, land development, dyke building and road making.