Chandrapur city is known as ‘India’s Black Gold City’ and is in the Vidarbha region, the coal-rich belt of Maharashtra. It is also one of the most polluted cities in India.
The city is an industrial area, home to cement, explosives, paper, and textile factories, in addition to mines.
Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) is a hulking seven-unit facility with a capacity of 2,920 MW, the plant has been billowing toxic substances for nearly 40 years. The air around the CSTPS smells charred and pungent. It reeks of the smell of continuous combustion of petrol or coal.
The radius of the plant is bespattered with trees, and inhabited by the employees of CSTPS, who claim that it is not uncommon to spot a tiger on the premises of the plant.
The CSTPS plant alone releases 7,100 metric tonnes - almost the weight of 18 jumbo jets - of fly ash, a fine particulate by-product of coal combustion that is known to be carcinogenic. It also generates 2,900 metric tonnes of bottom ash, the heavier coal waste that is non-combustible and needs to be stored safely to prevent it from percolating into the groundwater. Both these forms of coal waste are together known as coal ash.
There are several complaints of respiratory issues in the area around the plant. Children are falling sick because of pollution.
Despite the CSTPS facing several allegations of flouting environmental norms and of knowingly and willingly damaging its immediate environment, it has barely faced any action.
Read the full story: www.thehindu.c...
Story and production: Mrinali Dhembla
Videography and editing: Christopher Knapp
Funding: The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
#chandrapur #pollution #airpollution #airpollutioncontrol #maharashtra #thermalpower
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21 окт 2024
