In a significant move, the railways will transport fly ash from thermal power plants to factories using specially designed wagons. This transportation method is not only cost-effective but also more eco-friendly compared to road transport. The initiative aims to lower prices of construction materials like cement, blocks, and bricks, benefiting the housing sector.
The decision was made during a meeting led by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with the presence of Ministers of State for Railways V. Somanna and Ravneet Singh Bittu. Fly ash, a byproduct of thermal power plants, is crucial for producing cement, concrete blocks, bricks, and constructing roads, supporting infrastructure development nationwide.
Around 340 million tonnes of fly ash are produced annually by thermal power plants, with some being transported by road and to Bangladesh by barges. However, a significant amount remains at power plants, posing disposal challenges. To address this, the railways are establishing a specialized logistics network with dedicated containers and rail corridors for efficient transportation of fly ash.
The railways will employ unique wagons that can be top-loaded at power plants and sealed for transit. These wagons can be back-unloaded at factories using special tipper mechanisms. By ensuring clean transportation of fly ash through purpose-built logistics systems, the railways aim to transform this waste material into a valuable resource for India’s infrastructure development.
