Nagpur: At least 11 farmers reported significant losses in their farms at Waregaon village in Kamptee tehsil after toxic fly-ash mixed water, overflowing from Khaparkheda Power Plant’s ash pond, inundated their fields during the torrential rains on July 20. The district has been experiencing substantial rainfall over the past few days, recording a downpour of 135mm within a mere three hours on July 20.
This situation has become a recurring annual ordeal for the farmers and residents of Waregaon.The issue escalates during the monsoon season, particularly following heavy rainfall. Farmers have alleged that the fly-ash has not only devastated their produce and standing crops but also adversely impacted the fertility of the soil. They further said that the toxic water overflows from the pond due to the contractor’s failure to remove the ash in a timely manner.
Avantika Lekurwade, zilla parishad president, has now written to the district collector, urging him to fix responsibility for the damage caused by the fly-ash mixed water discharged from the ash pond.
Officials from Khaparkheda power station did not respond to TOI’s calls and messages.
Mangesh Gondane, who has leased 5 acres of land in Waregaon, reported that his vegetables and cotton plants, worth Rs20,000, have been destroyed due to the ash. “Every year, we suffer losses due to the ash. This time, I had sowed seeds far from the nullah where the ash flows. Nevertheless, the water breached the mud barrier and entered my farm,” he said.
Gondane said that after the devastation, they have to remove the ash, which affects the soil. “A significant amount of top soil gets removed, and the land is becoming less productive,” he added.
Ghanshyam Pundlik Gharat said that he earned around Rs1,000 daily by cultivating vegetables and also utilized his 1.5 acres land for major crops like jowar, tur, and cotton. “The standing crop of jowar has been destroyed. Once this water enters our fields, the plants cease to grow. Half of my land is now contaminated,” he said.
Both Gondane and Gharat added that although a survey has been conducted, there is little hope for compensation. “We haven’t received any compensation except for 2018-19, which was paid recently. We have been informed that funds for later years have been released but they are yet to be transferred to our accounts,” he said.
Lekurwade also alleged that the toxic ash water is polluting the Kolar-Kanhan river, thereby contaminating drinking water and underground water sources.
This has led to massive losses for farmers every year, as well as severe consequences for animals and human life, she said.
Residents of Koradi Khaparkheda campus are facing various health-related problems due to fly ash, while farmers are grappling with substantial losses. Shockingly, the farmers have not received any compensation, her letter said.
