Nagpur: Maharashtra environment minister Aditya Thackeray on Monday took stock of the situation at Nandgaon village where fly ash is being discharged from the thermal power plants at ashponds.
While addressing a press conference, Thackeray said that he had received several complaints regarding pollution through fly ash dumping in Nandgaon and also saw many videos to know the scenario. “But I had to come to the field and see the actual situation,” he said.
He further said that the main focus should be 100 per cent utilization of the fly ash being discharged from the thermal power plants. The minister also requested the Centre for Sustainable Development (CFSD) to work with the women of Nandgaon after Ashwini Thakre spoke to him on behalf of women of the village who demanded a permanent stoppage of the dumping of the fly ash.
Thackeray also mentioned that electricity is necessary and the Maharashtra government will ensure that the environment isn’t harmed in the process. While talking about electricity, ministr shared a letter of MahaGenco that read “the total disposal of ash slurry of 500 MW at Nandgaon Ash Bund has been stopped and Waregaon Ash Bund is made operative for 500 MW,” and said that environmental protection and economic growth must go hand in hand.
For years, MahaGenco Khapaerkheda and Koradi thermal power plants have been causing problems in the livelihoods of people who are residing nearby. The residents of the villages have complained of having various health issues, skin diseases and their cattle being unwell most of the time.
