Blending fly ash in cement is the most environmentally sustainable and financially attractive method of its utilisation. 

• Maharashtra has become the first state to adopt Fly Ash Utilization Policy, paving way for prosperity by generating “wealth from waste”, and environment protection.
• The policy will create new employment opportunities in the power plant areas and also make available raw material for construction at low cost to help ‘Housing for All’ projects.
• The policy seeks 100% use of fly ash generated from thermal power plants and biogas plants for construction activities.
• The policy extends use of fly ash to 300 kms radius of power plant from earlier 100 kms radius of power plant.
• It will help in environment protection and save soil excavation.

• Prevent Contamination of Water Resources- by preventing contamination of surface water through erosion, runoff, air-borne particles landing on the water surface; of ground water moving into surface waters, flooding drainage, or discharge from a coal ash pond.
• Prevents Soil Erosion- Helps restrict usage of topsoil for manufacturing of bricks.
• Used in variety of construction works- Fly ash is a proven resource material for many applications of construction industries and currently is being utilized in manufacturing of portland cement, bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing, road embankment construction and low-lying area development, etc. Flyash bricks have been found to show better strength.
• Used in Agriculture- as an agent for acidic soils, as soil conditioner – improving upon some important physicochemical properties of the soil such as hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, porosity, water holding capacity, etc.
• Using fly ash in concrete is environmentally beneficial because it reduces the Portland cement (a major contributor of CO2) required in concrete.

• GST rates on fly ash and its products have been reduced to 5%.
• ASH TRACK Mobile App has been launched by the Ministry of Power for better management of fly ash produced by thermal power plants.
• Ash-park, for promoting fly ash-based product manufacturing units, has been developed and awareness programme for utilisation of fly ash and its products have been conducted.

• “ASHTRACK” is a mobile-based application and a web portal for monitoring of fly ash generation and utilization data of Thermal Power Plants.
• It provides an interface between fly ash producers (Thermal Power Plants) and potential ash users such as – road contractors, cement plants etc.

• Slower Strength Gain – Concrete changes from a liquid to a solid a few hours after pouring, but the curing process may take much longer. It continues to gain strength for weeks after its initial setting period. This can cause problems when slow strength gain means delays in construction.
• Longer Setting Times – Fly ash admixtures can lengthen the time it takes for concrete to set. Sometimes this is desirable, particularly in hot weather which speeds up concrete set times, but at other times it is an inconvenience and can cause delays in construction. Other admixtures may be necessary to adjust the set time of the concrete, depending on the percent fly ash in the mixture and the outside temperature.
• Air Content Control – Concrete is susceptible to damage from freeze/thaw cycles if it does not contain air. Fly ash reduces the amount of air entrainment, and concrete mixtures high in fly ash often require more air-entraining admixture.
• Seasonal Limitations – The winter season is problematic for concrete pouring, and mixtures high in fly ash are even more susceptible to low temperatures.
• Color Variability – The structural effects of fly ash may be more critical, but cosmetic concerns also affect its use in concrete. It is more difficult to control the color of concrete containing fly ash than mixtures with Portland cement only.