Mahagenco, MSRDC sign MoU to use 6.17 crore tonnes of fly ash on three expressways, mineral corridor

About 6.17 crore metric tonnes of fly ash produced by thermal power plants in Maharashtra will now be used in road and mineral transport projects. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed for this between Mahagenco and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The ash will be used in three proposed expressways and one mineral transport corridor in eastern Maharashtra.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar. The aim is to ensure sustainable use of fly ash, support infrastructure work and reduce the environmental risks of storing ash for long periods. The proposed period for using the ash is January 2027 to December 2028.

Of the four projects, the Nagpur-Chandrapur Expressway will use the most fly ash, 2.79 crore metric tonnes. The estimated figures for the others are: 2.09 crore metric tonnes for the Nagpur-Gondia Expressway, 1.14 crore metric tonnes for the Bhandara-Gadchiroli Expressway and 0.15 crore metric tonnes for the Navegaon More-Surjagarh mineral transport corridor.

Projects in the Nagpur area will get fly ash from the Koradi or Khaperkheda thermal power plants, while projects in the Chandrapur area will be supplied from the Chandrapur plant. These quantities may change depending on technical requirements, actual site conditions and the availability of fly ash.

The MoU was signed by Radhakrishnan B, chairman and managing director of Mahagenco, and Anilkumar B Gaikwad, vice-chairman and managing director of MSRDC. Mahagenco director (projects) Abhay Harane, executive director (environment) Dr Nitin Wagh, MSRDC chief general manager (environment) Narendra Toke and other officials were also present.

Separate three-party agreements will follow for each project. These will be between the thermal power plant concerned, MSRDC and authorised contractors or other agencies concerned. They will fix the quantity, supply schedule, transport arrangements and financial assistance terms for each project. Claims eligible for financial assistance will be processed only after the fly ash has been measured, its use certified and the required documents verified.

The initiative aims at 100 per cent use of fly ash. This is in line with the Centre's fly ash notification of December 31, 2021 and the Maharashtra government's fly ash utilisation policy of September 19, 2025. The agreement is expected to allow large-scale use of the ash accumulated at thermal power plants, reduce the environmental and operational risks of long storage, and create a supply arrangement for infrastructure projects.

The MoU will remain in force until March 31, 2032 or until the projects concerned are completed, whichever is earlier. Its term can be extended with the approval of competent officials of both bodies.