One Day Regional Seminar on Fly Ash Management in JSPL, Raigarh
RAIGARH: Raigarh Collector Amit Kataria today said that Fly Ash is the biggest issue of Raigarh. He was addressing the Fly Ash Management seminar organized by Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) here today. Kataria emphasized, “We need an urgent solution to handle fly ash, produced by the thermal power plant in the district”.
Katariya was the chief guest of the inaugural function of the seminar. Kataria emphasized on various uses of fly ash.
Kataria said that we will be able to convert 100% fly ash into bricks. At present, we are utilizing only 10% of it. He also discussed transportation and practical problems of public agitation for pollution from transportation, if fly ash is used for filling of low-lying areas.
Kataria concluded with their words-“Now it’s time for innovation and Raigarh is the place where 100% implementation is needed”.
Raigarh is becoming a power hub and if we will not handle fly ash properly, Raigarh will be one of the most polluted areas in the next 5-10 years, not only in Chhattisgarh but also in India. The biggest problem is handling the fly ash in ponds because of leaks in the rainy season, which pollutes water resources. He remembered when he joined in Raigarh first issue was the leaking of fly ash in a private power plant.
He pointed out that we will have to take immediate steps which should be innovative, user-friendly and environmentally friendly; otherwise, we will lose all our natural resources.
“Mining activities are also increasing in Raigarh.” Collector added. He said that, at present 2 mines of SECL, a leading coal company and 17 mines are in the process. He informed that it is just a beginning, then imagine the future when the state government has signed MOUs with 6-8 companies for mines and power plants.
P.V. Narsinh Rao, Secretary, Environment Protection Board, shared some statistics. He said that in the year 2010-11, 1.7 crore tons of fly ash were extracted by power plants in the country, but we have the target to use 100 % fly ash by the year 2014. Chhattisgarh contributes remarkably 49% fly ash. But still we need to create some innovation on the field. He gave the example that China has the technology to produce lightweight fly ash bricks, also Australia and Norway can make fly ash cures which can be used as concrete in buildings and infrastructure.
Atul Mishra, Executive Director-Works, JSPl, Raigarh, gave key keynote speech in the seminar. He said, Fly, which was considered a waste a few years back, has converted into wealth, as a usable, valuable resource by establishing viable avenue for fly ash management. Fly ash management has taken considerable strides over the past few years. It finds stimulus-dimensional use in the manufacturing of fly ash bricks, blocks, tiles, the use of part replacement of cement in mortar and concrete, landfill, road and embankment construction.
“ Benefits to the agriculture sector have also been proven over time. The utilization area known earlier has been further strengthened by way of private initiatives and technology demonstration projects. Awareness has been created among the user agencies through the dissemination of information and many new areas of fly utilization have been developed. It is predicted that fly ash in itself is going to emerge as a major industry in the near future,” He added.
Mr Mishra said, considering the need of the hour for utilization of fly ash and its multifarious applications, I hope this seminar will give special focus and thrust to fly ash management and utilization and shall provide an ideal platform for exchange of views and knowledge gathering.
In his massage, N.A. Ansari, Executive Director-Incharge, JSPL said, I am hopeful that this workshop involving eminent expert from across country will serve as an ideal platform of knowledge sharing on fly ash utilization.
R.S. Dabas, Senior Vice President, presented a vote of thanks during the inaugural function of seminar.
Mukesh Mathur, Senior Scientist, TIFAC, Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, will share his views on fly ash.
Dr. N.P. Rajmane, Ex-Scientist, Structural Engineering Research Center Chennai told about various of Fly Ash in cement, concrete and construction industries.
U.K. Guruvittal, Sr. Scientist, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, Dr. C.M. Ghosh, Ex-Scientist, CIMFR, Dhanbad and Dr. Gulab Singh, Ex-Scientist, CIMFR and Director Fly Ash Technology Management Associate, Noida shared on valuable information on uses of fly ash in mine fill, agriculture and wasteland management, road and embankment and reclamation of low lying area.
(India CSR)
