Mahagenco, MSRDC sign pact to use 6.17 crore tonnes of ash in highway projects

Mahagenco and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding for the sustainable use of ash from thermal power stations, to benefit the environment and speed up infrastructure development in the state. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar.

Under the agreement, 6.17 crore metric tonnes of ash is proposed to be used between January 2027 and December 2028 for proposed expressway and mineral transport corridor projects in eastern Maharashtra.

Radhakrishnan B., chairman and managing director of Mahagenco, and Anilkumar B. Gaikwad, vice chairman and managing director of MSRDC, signed the agreement. Those present included Abhay Harne, director (projects) of Mahagenco, Dr Nitin Wagh, executive director (environment) of Mahagenco, and Narendra Toke, chief general manager (environment) of MSRDC.

Ash from Mahagenco's Koradi, Khaparkheda and Chandrapur thermal power stations will go into key infrastructure projects in the state. The estimated requirement 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 corridor.

Projects in the Nagpur region will get ash from the Koradi or Khaparkheda station, while those in the Chandrapur region will get it from the Chandrapur station. The quantity used may change depending on each project's technical needs, actual site conditions and the availability of ash.

Separate tripartite agreements will be signed among the thermal power station concerned, MSRDC and the authorised contractor or relevant body for each project, to fix the quantity of ash, the lifting schedule, the source of ash, transport arrangements and the terms of financial assistance. Claims for eligible financial assistance will be processed only after the ash is measured, its use is confirmed and the required documents are checked.

Environmental rules, technical standards and legal provisions will be followed during the transport, handling and use of ash. The aim is to achieve 100 per cent ash utilisation in line with the Centre's ash notification of December 31, 2021, and to implement the state government's ash utilisation policy of September 19, 2025.

The agreement will allow large-scale use of the legacy ash at thermal power stations. It will also reduce the environmental and operational risks of storing ash for long periods, and create an arrangement for the sustainable use of ash in the state's infrastructure projects.

The agreement will remain valid until March 31, 2032, or until the project concerned is completed, whichever is earlier. It can be extended with the approval of the competent authorities of both organisations.