Slurry management within limits, says NTPC

TALCHER: Discussions were held between the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) on Wednesday over the closure notice issued by the latter.
The OSPCB on Tuesday had directed the NTPC to shut down its four power generation units at Talcher Super Thermal Power Station (TSTPS) at Kaniha for failing to take appropriate fly ash management measures. The Stage II of the NTPC plant, includes four units of 500 MW each. The Pollution Control Board directive came after its scientists took stock of the measures taken by the power major following the ash pond breach in Stage 1 on June 3. Reacting to the notice, a senior NTPC official said the move was unwarranted as the slurry management has not gone out of control. "As such, we are shutting down one unit after another for annual maintenance work as a result of which, slurry discharge to the ash ponds has been reduced," he said. The official said the matter has been intimated to NTPC top brass in Delhi and their instructions are awaited.