<p>The Maharashtra government has decided to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power facilities in the state can be phased down in a systematic manner.</p>.<p>Minister for Environment, Tourism and Protocol Aaditya Thackeray made this announcement on Monday while visiting the recently shut-down Nandgaon ash pond located near the Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) in Nagpur.</p>.<p>“After receiving multiple complaints especially from women of Nandgaon and taking action, I decided to take stock of the ground situation. I have directed Nandgaon ash pond to be restored to its original state within the next 15 days. Nandgaon and even the Waregaon ash bunds will be permanently shut,” said Thackeray.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/42-coal-mines-auctioned-till-date-for-commercial-mining-says-centre-1080794.html" target="_blank">42 coal mines auctioned till date for commercial mining, says Centre</a></strong></p>.<p>He also added that pollution control measures including installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) for air pollution will be set up at all power plants across the State, starting with Koradi-Khaperkheda.</p>.<p>“We will ensure 100 per cent fly ash utilisation as per Central government norms. The fly ash will also be used for infrastructure projects,” he stated.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Maharashtra will be conducting a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power plants can be phased down in a systematic manner. “An audit of all power plants in Maharashtra for pollution control measures will be done. The power plants that are not meeting prescribed standards will face decisive action. A mitigation plan will be developed for this,” said Thackeray, adding that further details would be announced after the sanctioning process of the study was completed.</p>.<p>Maharashtra’s decision to conduct this study holds significance in light of announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Conference of Parties (COP26) at Glasgow where he set a Net Zero target of 2070 for the country.</p>.<p>Maharashtra currently has an installed capacity of 13,602 MW of which coal-fired thermal power accounts for nearly 75 per cent or 10,170 MW, according to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO). State-owned thermal power stations include – Chandrapur, Koradi, Khaperkheda, Nashik, Parli, Bhusawal and Paras.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>The Maharashtra government has decided to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power facilities in the state can be phased down in a systematic manner.</p>.<p>Minister for Environment, Tourism and Protocol Aaditya Thackeray made this announcement on Monday while visiting the recently shut-down Nandgaon ash pond located near the Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) in Nagpur.</p>.<p>“After receiving multiple complaints especially from women of Nandgaon and taking action, I decided to take stock of the ground situation. I have directed Nandgaon ash pond to be restored to its original state within the next 15 days. Nandgaon and even the Waregaon ash bunds will be permanently shut,” said Thackeray.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/42-coal-mines-auctioned-till-date-for-commercial-mining-says-centre-1080794.html" target="_blank">42 coal mines auctioned till date for commercial mining, says Centre</a></strong></p>.<p>He also added that pollution control measures including installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) for air pollution will be set up at all power plants across the State, starting with Koradi-Khaperkheda.</p>.<p>“We will ensure 100 per cent fly ash utilisation as per Central government norms. The fly ash will also be used for infrastructure projects,” he stated.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Maharashtra will be conducting a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power plants can be phased down in a systematic manner. “An audit of all power plants in Maharashtra for pollution control measures will be done. The power plants that are not meeting prescribed standards will face decisive action. A mitigation plan will be developed for this,” said Thackeray, adding that further details would be announced after the sanctioning process of the study was completed.</p>.<p>Maharashtra’s decision to conduct this study holds significance in light of announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Conference of Parties (COP26) at Glasgow where he set a Net Zero target of 2070 for the country.</p>.<p>Maharashtra currently has an installed capacity of 13,602 MW of which coal-fired thermal power accounts for nearly 75 per cent or 10,170 MW, according to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO). State-owned thermal power stations include – Chandrapur, Koradi, Khaperkheda, Nashik, Parli, Bhusawal and Paras.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>