Water given to power plants in Marathwada - Greenpeace.

Times of India reported that Greenpeace, an NGO working for environment protection, has demanded assessment of water diversion to power plants in the state following the water position in reservoirs of Marathwada.

The water resources department's figures released on April 28th reveal that the water levels of the region are a dismal 30%. The worst hit are Jayakwadi with 12%, Majalgaon with 22%, Purna Siddeshwar 25%, Masal 33%, Dudhana 40% and Upper Painganga 61%. Manjra, Lower Terna and Sina Kolegaon have already gone dry.

Less than a year ago, Greenpeace claimed that it had predicted it. The NGO's report 'Coal power plants and water use in Maharashtra' released in June 2013, had analysed 4 operational coal fired power plants and said that their presence in drought-hit areas was a cause for alarm. The water these plants were drawing from nearby dams was depriving villages of drinking water and for irrigation. The plants that were analysed were Parli, Bhusawal and Nashik in Marathwada and another one in Akola in Vidarbha region.

The report said that 'Since the specific water consumption of each power plant is not documented and is unavailable, we can assume a rate of 4,500 litres of water per mw per hour as an acceptable figure for these plants.' The WRD's latest water position in dams reiterates the fears Greenpeace had expressed last year.


STEELGURU