Maharashtra To Use Fly Ash For Expressways

In a major move, Maharashtra has proposed to use fly ash from thermal power plants for state infrastructure projects. Under this initiative, an estimated 6.17 crore metric tonnes of fly ash from thermal power plants will be used for the development of three proposed expressways and a mineral transportation corridor in eastern Maharashtra.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between Mahagenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) in the presence of the Minister of State for Energy, Meghna Sakore-Bordikar.

“The initiative aims to support fast-tracked infrastructure growth while mitigating the heavy environmental and operational risks caused by long-term coal ash accumulation at Mahagenco’s thermal power stations,” said Sakore-Bordikar.

“This MoU will facilitate the large-scale utilization of legacy fly ash stored at thermal power stations, thereby helping to mitigate the environmental and operational risks associated with long-term ash storage. Furthermore, a mechanism will be established for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in infrastructure projects across the state. This agreement shall remain valid until March 31, 2032, or until the completion of the respective projects, whichever occurs earlier. The term of the agreement may be extended with the approval of the competent authorities from both organizations,” she added.

The initiative will facilitate the use of fly ash – sourced from Mahagenco’s thermal power stations in Koradi, Khaperkheda, and Chandrapur – for key infrastructure projects across the state. The estimated requirement for fly ash is 2.09 crore metric tonnes for the Nagpur–Gondia expressway, 1.14 crore metric tonnes for the Bhandara–Gadchiroli expressway, 2.79 crore metric tonnes for the Nagpur–Chandrapur expressway and 0.15 crore metric tonnes for the Navegaon More–Surjagad mineral transport route, said state officials.

Fly ash will be sourced from the Koradi or Khaperkheda thermal power stations for projects in the Nagpur region and from the Chandrapur thermal power station for projects in the Chandrapur region. The quantities may vary depending on the technical requirements of the projects, actual site conditions and the availability of fly ash, said officials.

“All activities — including the excavation, transportation, handling and utilization of fly ash — will be conducted in compliance with environmental regulations, technical standards and statutory provisions. A key objective of this collaboration is to achieve 100% utilization of fly ash, in line with the Central Government’s ‘Fly Ash Notification’ and to implement the State Government’s ‘Fly Ash Utilization Policy,” said an official.