BHUBANESWAR: the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has proposed that measures to ensure zero liquid discharge from thermal power plants (TPPs) of the State will be taken up during next four years.
In its Climate Change Action Plan, the pollution control board has suggested a series of strategies which focuses on arresting the waste generated by the TTPs.
Apart from implementing a zero liquid discharge plan, which would be based on feasibility, the Board wants to introduce a programme for mandatory water and waste water audit in water-guzzling industries such as thermal power, iron and steel, sponge iron and paper industries.
Currently, it is implementing a retrofitting programme for the existing TPPs with support from Energy department. The Board plans to generate a baseline data basing on which specific retrofitting plans would be chalked out and clean coal usage promoted.
A major feature of OSPCB’s action plan also includes dealing with fly ash which is a huge challenge given its low disposal as compared to the massive volume of generation. Barely about half the fly ash generated by the TPPs are used though the State Government has been insisting on a 100 per cent target. According to available statistics, 36 power plants generated 24.6 million metric tonnes fly ash during 2014-15 but the utilisation level remained barely about 53 per cent.
The pollution control board, as part of its action plan, seeks compilation of information generated from studies on fly ash to develop an operational plan. This would help administrative departments of the State Government take measures to use fly ash in construction works. The OSPCB also plans to explore low-lying areas in coastal districts where fly ash could be disposed of scientifically.
It has also proposed development of a mechanism to use plastic, rubber, tyres and other carbonaceous waste for co-processing in cement kilns.