RAICHUR: Power Minister D K Shivakumar has urged builders to use fly ash in construction works as it is viable.
He was speaking after the inauguration of a two-day national-level conference on ‘Beneficial use of fly ash in construction industry and agriculture’, on Friday.
The conference is being organised by the Centre for Utilisation Technology and Environment Conservation (CASHUTEC) and University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur, in association with the Karnataka Power Corporation, Bangalore, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore, and Centre for Fly Ash Research and Management(C-FARM), New Delhi. The minister said presently only 50 per cent fly ash generated from thermal power stations is utilised. The fly ash generated from Raichur, Yermarus, Bellary and Udupi thermal power stations should be fully utilised fully.
Shivkumar said now only big industries are using fly ash and even small scale industries can use it. It can also be used in agriculture. The University of Agriculture Sciences should convince farmers to use fly ash.
In his keynote address, Vimalkumar, adviser to C-FARM, said around two decades back, fly ash was considered as industrial waste and most of it was dumped in ash ponds. A lot of work has been undertaken under the Fly Ash Mission (FAM) and other agencies. Now, fly ash utilisation in the country has increased from one million tonnes per year to more than 130 million tonnes.
Fly ash has proved to be useful in many applications. Policy frame work and national strategy can make it possible to utilise all fly ash profitably. It would mitigate environmental threats, generate employment and industrial wealth, conserve mineral sources and provide sustainable construction and agriculture, including forestry and cleaner environment. Even agriculture produce grown on fly ash is within safe limits. Thus, it can be used on a largescale with no impact on human health and environment, he said. Medical Education and District Minister Sharan Prakash Patil released the book of proceedings.
It is a proven fact that fly ash can be used in agriculture and construction and hence needs to be encouraged, he said.
Raichur MLA Shivaraj Patil, presiding over the inaugural function, said fly ash from Raichur thermal power station is being transported to cement factories in Yadgir district through heavy containers. This resulted in damage to roads. Cement industries should repair the roads as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), he added.
Earlier, DC S N Nagaraju welcomed the gathering. Legislators Venkatesh Nayak, Prathapgouda Patil, Manappa Vajjal, Thipparaju, GESCOM Managing Director Pallavi Akruthi, ZP president Lalithamma, Municipal president Mahadevamma, ZP CEO Vijaya Jothsna, University of Agriculture Sciences’ Dr B S Janagoudar, former V-C Dr B V Patil and others were present.