Parliament Question: Environmental impact of Coal-based Thermal Power Plants

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3083 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF COAL-BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS 3083. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken measures to reduce the environmental impact of the coal-based Bokaro Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS) of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and if so, the details thereof; (b) the present status of installation and commissioning of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems at the said stations along with the reasons for any delay; (c) the details of fly ash generation, utilisation and scientific ash management and the measures taken to promote biomass and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)/Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) co-firing at these plants; (d) the details of the outsourcing agencies/Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors engaged for these environmental compliance works and other works, their performance against contractual milestones and delays, penalties, if any, along with the corrective measures taken in the matter; and (e) the strategy adopted by the Government to ensure environmental sustainability while maintaining reliable thermal power generation at BTPS and CTPS? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK) (a) : Bokaro Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS) operate under the control of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). In order to comply with the environmental norms notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), DVC has implemented several measures. These initiatives include installation of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) to control particulate matter, De- NOx system to reduce nitrogen oxides, Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS), Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS), ash water recirculation, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems. Plantation has also been undertaken to mitigate the environmental impact of these power plants. Moreover, Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) system has also been installed at BTPS. (b) : In BTPS, FGD system has been installed and was declared under commercial operation on 22.06.2024. Vide Notification dated 11.07.2025 of MoEF&CC, Category-C thermal power plants are required to comply with the stack height criteria prescribed under G.S.R. 742(E) dated 30.08.1990. Since CTPS is a category ‘C’ thermal power plant, FGD is not required. ……….2.- 2 - (c) : Fly ash generated at BTPS and CTPS is managed in accordance with the provisions of MoEF&CC Ash Notifications and the Ministry of Power guidelines. Details of ash generation and utilisation for the last three years is given below: Ash generation and utilisation of BTPS & CTPS for last three years BTPS CTPS Ash Total ash Ash Total ash FY: % age ash % age ash generation utilisation generation utilisation utilisation utilisation (LMT) (LMT) (LMT) (LMT) 2023-24 9.96 12.48 125.32 11.92 12.98 108.94 2024-25 9.21 11.87 128.96 11.77 15.27 129.72 2025-26 7.56 6.56 86.75 10.63 8.14 76.53 The fly ash is utilized in cement manufacturing, brick and block production. For better ash management, DVC has undertaken several measures including evacuation of ash through Rail-cum-Road (RCR) mode, filling/ disposal of ash in abandoned mines and low-lying areas, execution of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with NHAI and other Government agencies for road construction projects, and regular e-auction of dry fly ash through the Expression of Interest (EOI) process. At BTPS, co-firing of non-torrefied biomass pellets has already been implemented and around 1,286 Metric Ton (MT) of biomass was co-fired during FY 2025-26. CTPS is equipped with Ball and Tube type grinding mills for coal pulverisation, which are not suitable for pulverisation of non-torrefied biomass pellets with coal due to high Volatile Matter (VM) content and other technical and operational limitations. At present, there is no sourcing of MSW/ RDF at either of these plants. (d) : The details of the outsourcing agencies/contractors engaged for environmental compliance works and other works are at Annexure. (e) : In order to ensure environmental sustainability while maintaining reliable thermal power generation at BTPS and CTPS, DVC has adopted a comprehensive compliance strategy in line with the MoEF&CC Notification dated 07.12.2015 which inter alia includes installation of ESPs, De-NOx, FGD systems, CEMS and CAAQMS to track air quality parameters continuously, improved ash handling/ transportation mechanism and plantation drives etc. ***********ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3083 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 06.08.2026 ************* Bokaro Thermal Power Station (BTPS): (i) Environmental Monitoring: M/s ADITI R&D SERVICES, a Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) approved and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratory, has been engaged for statutory environmental monitoring, including stack emissions, ambient air quality, effluent, and noise monitoring. (ii) Ash Evacuation: The details of the contracts awarded for dry fly ash and pond ash evacuation, are given below: Dry Fly Ash Evacuation: S. Agency Name Completion Percentage (%) of No. Date ash lifted 1. M/s Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd 08.08.2026 36.35 % 2. M/s B.K. Mahto 08.08.2026 18.00 % 3. ASHTECH (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED 19.04.2027 6.432 % Pond Ash Evacuation: Sl. Agency Name Completion Date Percentage (%) of ash No. lifted 1. JDNS ENGG WORK 14.01.2027 0.024 % 2. SARAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 14.01.2027 0.809 % 3. JDNS ENGG WORK 05.04.2027 0.000 % 4. SARAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 05.04.2027 0.000 % 5. JDNS ENGG WORK 22.10.2026 8.566 % 6. SARAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 22.10.2026 59.844 % 7. NHAI PIU DHANBAD 08.03.2027 3.750 % 8. ASHTECH (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED 19.04.2027 1.756 % Ash evacuation from BTPS was stopped for around 4 months in FY 2025-26 from mid of July 2025 due to a bandh imposed by the Bermo Koylanchal Hywa Owners’ Association.Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS): (i) Environmental Monitoring: M/s IDMA Laboratories Limited, a JSPCB authorized agency, has been engaged for monitoring of stack emission, ambient air quality, noise level, effluent quality etc. (ii) Ash Evacuation: The details of the contracts awarded for dry fly ash and pond ash evacuation, are given below: Sl. Name of agency Nature of work Contract Percentage No. validity (%) of ash lifted Dry Fly Ash Evacuation 1. M /S ACC Ltd, 08.06.2025 60% SINDRI Lifting & transporting of Dry to Fly Ash (DFA) from CTPS, SILO 07.09.2026 2. M /s DALMIA for Cement manufacturing 08.06.2025 78.5% CEMENT; LINE#1 industries. to 07.09.2026 3. M /s DALMIA 08.06.2025 76.6% CEMENT; LINE#2 to 07.09.2026 4. M /S HI TECH 09.06.2026 7.49% INFRASTUCTURE to 08.06.2027 5. M /S BAJRANG 10.06.2026 9.9% PRESTRESSED to PRODUCT(P) LTD Lifting & transporting of DFA 09.06.2027 6. M /S SHIV SHAKTI from CTPS, SILO for MSMEs for 11.05.2026 5.27% INDUSTRY Bricks/blocks manufacturing to industries. 10.05.2027 7. M /S INFINITY 04.07.2026 8.75% ENTERPRISE to 03.07.2027 8. M /S HEMBRAM 08.07.2026 5% ENTERPRISES to 07.07.2027 9. M /S EXAXX 13.01.2026 31.19% ENTERPRISES to 12.01.2027 Pond Ash Evacuation 10. M /s PMP Infratech Lifting of Pond Ash from CTPS 21.10.2025 93.16% Limited and its nuisance-free to transportation to NHAI and 20.10.2026 11. M /s Saran other Central/State 21.10.2025 31.00% Construction Government Road to Company Construction Projects 20.10.202612. M /s J.D.N.S 21.10.2025 9.90% Engineering Works to 20.10.2026 13. M /s Saran Lifting of Pond Ash from CTPS 22.01.2026 15% Construction and nuisance-free to Company transportation to Abandoned 21.01.2027 14. M /s J.D.N.S Open Cast mines/ Stone 22.01.2026 9% Engineering Works Quarries/ Low lying area or any to other designated places 21.01.2027 outside plant following work order has been issued 15. N KAS SERVICES Lifting of Pond Ash from CTPS 01.05.2026 Work is yet PRIVATE LIMITED and transported in RCR mode to to start using railway siding Dugda Box 30.04.2026 Yard Line No. -03 (DBYC) 16. M /s DILIP KUMAR Lifting of Pond ash/Conditioned 17.01.2026 Agency has MAHATO ash from CTPS through RCR to applied for mode by engaging M/s Dilip 16.05.2027 extension of Kumar Mahato work order validity 17. N ational Highway Lifting of Pond Ash from CTPS 11.03.2026 NHAI Authority of India and its nuisance-free to authority transportation to NHAI under 10.03.2026 will start the Bharatmala Pari yojana in work after state of Jharkhand. monsoon season. Ash evacuation from CTPS was stopped for around 4 months in FY 2025-26 from mid of July 2025 due to a bandh imposed by the Bermo Koylanchal Hywa Owners’ Association. **********