**Summary:**
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is addressing air pollution and fly ash management in India through the Ash Utilization Notification, 2021, effective December 31, 2021. This notification mandates 100% utilization of fly ash from coal and lignite-based thermal power plants for eco-friendly purposes within specified timelines. One such purpose outlined is the controlled use of fly ash in agriculture, which soil testing informs, to enhance soil health by improving nutrient capacity and micronutrient supply. In FY 2024-25, approximately 4 million tonnes of fly ash were used in agriculture out of a total utilization of 326.8 million tonnes.
The notification also promotes the stabilization and reclamation of ash ponds through green belt development, plantation, and the establishment of solar or wind power plants. Thermal power plants are required to develop greenbelts around operational ash ponds. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) issued guidelines in June 2023 for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and annual certification of coal ash ponds, emphasizing environmentally sound storage practices, including greenbelt development.
Enforcement and monitoring of the Ash Utilization Notification, 2021, are the responsibilities of the CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). District Magistrates also have concurrent jurisdiction for enforcement and monitoring. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has developed EcoRejuvenation Technology, utilizing site-specific plant species, including bamboo, to stabilize fly ash dumps and promote biodiversity on degraded lands. The Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission recommends thermal power plants leverage CSIR-NEERI's expertise for ecologically rejuvenating ash dumpsites.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
Ash Utilization Notification, 2021: A notification issued by MoEFCC mandating the utilization of ash from coal or lignite based thermal power plants.
Central Pollution Control Board: A statutory organisation responsible for pollution control in India.
Central Electricity Authority: A statutory body that advises the government on policy matters and coordinates with State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
State Pollution Control Board: State-level organizations responsible for implementing environmental regulations and monitoring pollution within their respective states.
Council of Scientific Industrial Research National Environmental Engineering Research Institute: A research institute that has developed EcoRejuvenation Technology for stabilizing fly ash dumps.
Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission: A mission constituted by MoEFCC to promote the effective management and utilization of fly ash.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Parliament Question:- Air Pollution and Fly Ash
Management in India
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi
Fly ash disposal in unscientific manner poses problems in the form of land use, health hazards, and hazard to
ecosystems due to presence of respirable particulate matter and toxic trace metals in the ash.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified Ash Utilization Notification,
2021 on 31.12.2021 and mandates coal or lignite based thermal power plants to achieve 100% utilisation of
ash in the prescribed eco-friendly purposes and timelines.
The Notification prescribes ‘Agriculture in a controlled manner based on soil testing’ as an eco-friendly
purpose for utilization of ash from coal or lignite based thermal power plants. Use of ash in agriculture in
controlled manner enhances the soil health by increasing nutrient capacity and supply of micronutrients to
soil. In the FY 2024-25, about 4 million tonnes (1.2%) of ash was utilised in agriculture out of the total ash
utilization of 326.8 million tonnes.
The Notification promotes stabilization and reclamation of ash ponds with green belt or plantation including
setting up of solar power plant or wind power plant on reclaimed ash ponds.
Further, the said Notification also mandates developing greenbelt around the operational ash pond by thermal
power plants.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) have issued the “Guidelines
on Design, Construction, O&M and Annual Certification of Coal Ash Ponds” in June 2023, which prescribes
for storage of ash in ash ponds or dykes in an environmentally sound manner that includes development of
greenbelt around ash ponds.
CPCB and the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC) are
the enforcing and monitoring authorities for ensuring compliance of the provisions of Ash Utilization
Notification, 2021. The concerned District Magistrate has the concurrent jurisdiction for enforcement and
monitoring the provisions of the Notification.
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
(NEERI) has developed Eco-Rejuvenation Technology aimed at stabilizing fly ash dumps by utilizing site-
specific plant species (Bamboo species) to foster biodiversity on degraded lands.
‘Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission’ constituted by MoEF&CC recommended to the thermal
power plants to leverage the expertise of CSIR-NEERI for stabilizing and ecologically rejuvenating ash
dumpsites through bamboo plantation or suitable site-specific plant species.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha
today.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2147745)