'Fly ash from power plants polluting homes'

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

S M Arun
First Published : 28 Jun 2010 02:26:46 AM IST
Last Updated : 28 Jun 2010 04:16:58 AM IST

THOOTHUKUDI: The residents and salt manufacturers around a private power plant in Pudur Pandiyapuram village have alleged that houses and salt pans were affected by fly ash from the power plant. ARAS Dhanapalan, secretary of Thoothukudi Salt Manufacturers Association told Express on Sunday that the fly ash, which settles on farmlands and salt pans, poses a threat as the monsoon season is fast approaching. "Corrective measures have to be taken immediately as the fly ash could cause serious health related problems to the villagers, apart from affecting salt production", he pointed out.

J Prabakar, district Coordinator of Social Action Movement said that the fly ash, which escapes from the plant, has been a cause of concern as it disrupts even daytoday activities of the villagers. "Apart from fly ash, improper transportation of coal from Tuticorin port to the power plant has littered the roads which in turn hinders motorists and causes eye and nasal irritation", Prabakar said. The management of the thermal power plant set up by IndBharath however said that they adhere to highest standards in power plant technology and added that there is no chance for any such pollution.

When asked, P Mayilvel, VicePresidentTechnical said that they are using advanced technologies in dust separators and Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) to prevent fly ash from escaping from the plant. "The chimneys are 140 m in height, which prevents fly ash from spreading and it controls dust level", he explained. However, he said that fly ash is being bought by many companies in Thoothukudi as fillers in road construc would have escaped during transportation. "We received no complaints so far and I can assure that there is no chance for fly ash to escape from this plant", he pointed out. District Engineer of TNPCB, Murugan said , "There is a possibility that 'bottom ash' might have been carried by high winds but it cannot be carried too far as the density is more", he said.

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