Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to issue a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for fly ash disposal this week, announced Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari. The updated SOP aims to streamline and environmentally regulate the handling of fly ash generated from thermal power plants.
Highlighting the severity of the issue, the Minister said that the state is actively holding consultations with both central and state agencies to devise a more sustainable approach. Key measures being proposed include:
- Avoiding creation of new ash ponds inside village areas
- Preventing displacement of local residents due to ash pond construction
- Shifting from truck-based transportation to pipeline slurry systems
- Relocating fly ash to uninhabited zones far from human settlements
These measures are expected to reduce air pollution, ensure safer disposal practices, and minimize public inconvenience.
The problem is particularly acute in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Angul, which are Odisha’s primary thermal power-producing districts, contributing 94% of the state’s thermal electricity output. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, has caused major environmental and health issues in these areas. In several instances, ash pond breaches by private power companies have resulted in serious damage to property and local ecosystems.
The proposed SOP will be developed in coordination with thermal power producers and other concerned departments. Once implemented, it is expected to offer a long-term, sustainable framework for ash management in coal-intensive districts of the state.
