Collector asks MahaGenco to dump fly ash in stone quarries

Staff Reporter

In an effort to curb the regular breaching of fly ash bunds in Koradi and Khaperkheda areas due to the dumping of fly ash by thermal power stations, the district administration has asked MahaGenco to dump fly ash in the quarries that come under the jurisdiction of the administration. “MahaGenco is bound for 100 per cent utilisation of its fly ash. However, it failed to utilise it completely, due to which the frequent breaching of ash bund takes place during monsoon,” Dr Vipin Itankar told The Hitavada on Monday.

“A show cause notice has been served to MahaGenco after the recent Waregaon ash bund collapse in Khaperkheda. MahaGenco has replied that it has already floated a tender regarding lifting of fly ash and also signed an MoU with Indian Railway to transport fly ash through trains,” said the Collector. “District Administration is also ready to allow MahaGenco to dump its fly ash in stone quarries and other such quarries in the district to quick removal of fly ash from bunds,” said Dr Itankar.

“If all efforts that MahaGenco is taking to remove their fly ash from bunds goes right, then it will take six months to normalise the situation in Koradi and Khaperkheda areas,” said the collector. “I have personally visited the recent Waregaon ash bund collapse site and also interacted with villagers. The administration is putting efforts to complete the whole procedure to give compensation to affected farmers as early as possible,” he added. It is the second incident of ash bund breach in Waregaon in just nine months. Last year in the month of October, the ash bund collapsed which damaged many agriculture lands. The affected farmers got their compensation this year in the month of June and again on July 19, the recent incident took place. The affected farmers are demanding quick compensation and also want the removal of fly ash that is covering their lands.