Thermal ash to be used for making bricks

Filling two needs with one deed, Punjab Government has decided to utilise the thermal ash to make bricks — a move aimed at providing additional source of income while saving the environment from pollution.

Taking a big leap towards the pollution-free environment, the Punjab Government has made a unique way to dispose of the pond ash, and now onwards, the pond ash will be the earning source of thermal plants, said a spokesperson.

Spokesperson said that many thermal power projects had been set up to increase the power generation in the State, and the power generated by them not only lit the state's homes but also laid a green posture in the fields.

“The State Government had reaped huge benefits from these plants, but the sorry aspect of the picture is that these plants have a cursing effect on environment in the name of pound ash. Ash has not increased the environmental problem but a big chunk of land is required to store this ash. Pound ash has become a double problem for the state,” added the spokesperson.

Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Kahan Singh Pannu said that now, the State Government has not only taken steps for disposal of this ash, but has also found a way to earn money from this hazardous residue.

“From now onwards, the ash will be used to make bricks. The ash will be sold to the brick kiln owners at a fixed cost, which will become a source of income, and on the other hand, precious soil of the state is being saved from the ash. Brick kiln owners have the responsibility to use 15 to 20 percent ash in bricks,” he said.

Notably, the thermal plants in the country are producing between 1,500 to 1,700 lakh tons of pound ash every year, which had a huge problem.

With the increasing demand for power, the number of thermal plants is also increasing, which causes increase in pound ash. Now, along with the elimination of this pound ash, the government has found a new method of earning from it, said Pannu.

Pannu said that this is a unique way to dispose of the ash with earnings. Anyone who needs a pound ash for bricks can get help from the Board, he said.