Nagpur | Jun 17, 2016: There is some hope for reduction in pollution caused by thermal power stations. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has finally use of coal with 34% or less ash content must for all thermal power stations. The board's move comes 11 years after the norm was introduced by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The state government's consent appraisal committee headed by principal secretary (environment) Satish Gavai decided this in a meeting on June 2. The minutes of meeting have been approved a few days ago.

The minutes recorded that the condition of use of coal with ash content of 34% or less would be incorporated in consent given to all existing power plants. It would be part of condition for consent to all new power plants. The plants can use raw blended or beneficiated coal to meet the condition. Also, it was also decided that thermal power stations must comply with relevant MoEFCC notifications issued from time to time.

In November 2015, MPCB had made mandatory for coal mines to supply coal with 34% ash content or less. Now, the condition is applicable for user as well. Most of the coal produced and supplied in the state is having higher than 34% ash content that causes higher pollution.

However, Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) is yet to come up with a mechanism to supply coal that meets the specification more than six months after the deadline set by the MPCB in November 2015. Though officially WCL plans to set up coal washeries to improve coal quality, nothing has happened on the ground. It will also be difficult for Mahagenco's thermal power plants to get clean coal unless WCL and other Coal India Limited (CIL) subsidiary start supplying it.

Mahagenco began washing the coal bring down ash content through private coal washing companies but had to stop the practice in 2011-12 due to various reasons.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)