Mahagenco, MSRDC sign pact to use thermal plant ash in three Vidarbha expressways

Gondia, 22nd: A memorandum of understanding was signed between Mahagenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for the sustainable use of ash from thermal power stations and to push ahead infrastructure development in the state. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar.

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

Mahagenco Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan B. and MSRDC Vice Chairman and Managing Director Anilkumar B. Gaikwad signed the agreement. Several officials were present, including Mahagenco Director (Projects) Abhay Harne, Executive Director (Environment) Dr Nitin Wagh and MSRDC Chief Superintendent (Environment) Narendra Toke.

Under the agreement, ash from Mahagenco's Koradi, Khaparkheda and Chandrapur thermal power stations will be used in important 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-Surjagarh mineral transport route.

Ash for projects in the Nagpur region will be supplied from the Koradi or Khaparkheda thermal power station, and for projects in the Chandrapur region from the Chandrapur station. The quantity used may change depending on the technical needs of the project, site conditions and availability of ash.

Separate tripartite agreements will be made for each project to settle the quantity of ash, the lifting schedule, the source of ash, transport arrangements and the terms of financial assistance. These will be between the thermal power station concerned, MSRDC and the authorised contractor or the institution concerned. Claims for eligible financial assistance will be processed after ash is measured, its use is confirmed and the necessary documents are checked.

Environmental rules, technical standards and legal provisions will be followed during excavation, transport, handling and use of the ash. A key aim of the collaboration is to achieve 100 per cent use of ash under the Union government's fly ash notification of 31 December 2021 and to implement the state government's ash utilisation policy of 19 September 2025.

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

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