Leakages: NTPC-Kaniha to replace ash pipeline

ANGUL:  In the wake of frequent ash pond pipeline leakages, authorities of NTPC-Kaniha have decided to change the entire pipeline system by next year. Currently, NTPC uses MS pipes which will be replaced by cast basalt pipes to prevent ash pond leakages of any kind. A few months back, there was sliding of an ash dyke of thermal power plant of NTPC at Kaniha. The earthen dyke of ash pond-1 of 3,000 MW thermal power plants slid, spilling slurry from the pond to nearby areas. As the slurry did not contain much water, its release was limited to only nearby NTPC land without affecting private land or nearby villages.  Higher officials of the company said the ash pond has been surveyed for setting up  an integrated seepage management and detailed engineering is in progress as advised by the Pollution Control Board. As a preventive measure, all water entry points to the Tikira river are being cleaned further, they said. Besides, in order to increase the green cover in the areas around the project, the company has so far planted more than 9.6 lakh saplings, including 56,000 saplings in the last two months in the nearby villages.NTPC-Kaniha has done a layer of earth covering in the dry patches of ash pond, continuous water sprinkling is being done in the operating lagoon and steps like ‘garlanding’ the system along with rotational discharge are being followed to ensure water in the ash pond.