Currently, private thermal power plants in these industrial hubs generate around 8,000 MW of electricity, meeting both domestic and industrial needs of the state. However, management of fly ash, a byproduct of thermal power generation, remains a critical issue. Key concerns include ambiguity over which authorities can authorize disposal zones for the safe management of ash.

The State Pollution Control Board has issued guidelines and designated sites, such as abandoned mines, for the safe disposal of fly ash. Despite this, implementation has been slow. The tehsildars of these districts have submitted lists of inactive mines to the deputy director of mines, but the mining department, which lacks both standard operating procedures (SOPs) and expertise in ash management, remains unable to grant the necessary permissions. Although SOPs for ash disposal have been available since 2017 and were strengthened by a Central Pollution Control Board notification in 2021, they are yet to be effectively implemented in Odisha.

A recent meeting chaired by Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari directed district collectors to issue these permits, although the collectors remain unsure how to proceed. Plans for a meeting at the Divisional Revenue Commissioner level were postponed twice, further stalling resolution efforts.

In addition to these operational obstacles, misinformation circulating on digital platforms, supposedly provided by certain “motivated individuals”, has fueled public concern about the environmental impact of industries. Meanwhile, ash hills around private thermal plants continue to grow, intensifying pressure on the facilities.

Experts warn that if immediate action is not taken, many thermal power plants could be forced to cease operations, affecting both their own production and the state’s broader industrial network, leading to potential power outages.

“The government must urgently intervene to address the challenges of ash management,” said energy sector expert Prasanna Mohanty. It recommended immediate transfer of ash based on standard operating procedures laid down by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to mitigate further risks.