The menace associated with fly ash will become a thing of past if it is utilized in a more meaningful way. Assess the alternate uses of fly ash and the government’s measures in this regard.
The menace associated with fly ash will become a thing of past if it is utilized in a more meaningful way. Assess the alternate uses of fly ash and the government’s measures in this regard.
Fly Ash is a fine powder, which is the by-product of burning coal in thermal power plants. It is a proven resource material for many applications of construction industries
Uses:
It is useful in
- manufacturing of portland cement, bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing,
- road embankment construction and low lying area development, etc.
- agriculture as an agent for acidic soils, as soil conditioner as it improves the physio-chemical properties of the soil.
Advantages of Fly Ash Utilization:
It has the potential to reduce
- greenhouse gas emissions by decreased mining activities.
- land degradation by decreased clay extraction for brick making.
- bio-accumulation by decreased usage of fertilizers in agriculture.
Government steps to use Fly Ash:
- In 2009, MoEF provided guidelines on ash utilization advocating its usage within 100 km radius of thermal power plants.
- NTPC is in the process of effectively using fly ash in various projects. (Manufacture of pre stressed railway concrete sleepers).
- Maharashtra became the first state in the country to adopt the Fly Ash Utilization Policy
- It has decided to come up with an export policy for fly ash in the light of demand from places like Singapore and Dubai.
- GST rates on fly ash and its products have been reduced to 5%
- ASHTRACK app has been launched to monitor fly ash generation and utilization data of Thermal Power Plants
- Ash-park has been developed and awareness programme for utilisation of fly ash and its products have been conducted.
Road Ahead:
India has the potential to produce 600 million tonnes by 2030 hence its use should be promoted in all possible ways.
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