Steps to maintain ecological balance around thermal power stations

Stressing on the importance of maintaining ecological balance and the protection of environment in and around various thermal power stations, the state Power department is taking various measures.

West Bengal Power Distribution Company Limited (WBPDCL), a unit of the state Power department, has been working towards this direction and carrying out various environment improvement activities to protest the environment from the pollutants emanating from the thermal power stations. The environment improvement activities initiated by the WBPDCL include 100 percent dry flyash collection at silos commissioned at all power stations. Presently, the monthly dryash disposal from silos is 2,32,763 metric tonne per month which is around 56 percent of the total dryash generated per month by the state.

To curb the menace of pollution, continuous air quality monitoring systems have been successfully functioning at Kolaghat, Bakreswar, Santaldih and Sagardighi. It may also be mentioned here that the state government considers the renovation and modernisation of old power plants to be one of the best options to ensure safe, reliable and economical electricity production, improvement of performance and for addressing pollution issues. The state government has already undertaken energy efficient renovation and modernisation of unit number 5 of the 210 MW capacity Bandel Thermal Power station with financial assistance from the World Bank and the unit is running at an enhanced capacity of 215 MW.