Nalco CPP may take a hit on ash disposal restriction

National Aluminum Company (Nalco)'s power generation may get hit with the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) directing the company not to use an ash pond at its coal-fired captive power plant (CPP) at Angul. The state pollution watchdog has sent this notice following complaints of leakage from compartment B of ash pond 2, which posed threat to nearby farm fields.

“Compartment B is repeatedly cracking or subsiding, but compartment-A is available for service. In view of the above, Nalco has been directed to stop discharge of ash slurry to the compartment-B of Ash Pond-2,” the OSPCB order said.

The state pollution watchdog also observed, if the company does not take adequate steps to dispose the ash, then it would be left with no space for ash disposal by mid 2012. Meanwhile, the restriction on ash disposal has left the company with less space to dispose of ash. If this continues, the company may be forced to drop its power production at its 1200 Mw CPP to reduce ash generation. Nalco officials were, however, are tight lipped about such possibilities.