India generates 340 MT fly ash in FY25, utilises 98% across infra and industry

New Delhi: India generated 340.11 million tonnes (MT) of fly ash in 2024-25, of which 332.63 MT was utilised across infrastructure and industrial sectors, according to figures shared at the National Conference on Fly Ash Utilisation and Transportation organised by the Ministry of Railways and NTPC on Monday.Data presented at the conference showed that 32 per cent of the total fly ash generated in 2024-25 was used in road and flyover construction, 27 per cent in the cement industry, and 14 per cent in the manufacturing of bricks and tiles. Backfilling and mine filling accounted for 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, while agriculture and ready-mix concrete (RMC) utilisation stood at 1-2 per cent.Officials said the Railways is providing an economical and sustainable mode of fly ash movement through attractive freight concessions. With large-scale generation continuing from thermal power plants, the Railways is expected to play a greater role in bulk transportation.Government policy mandates the use of fly ash in cement, roads, mine backfilling, brick production and other building materials. Officials at the conference said these measures are aimed at ensuring safe disposal of the thermal power by-product while promoting a circular economy.The conference, held at the Power Management Institute in Noida, was attended by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad, Railway Board Member (Operations & Business Development) Hitendra Malhotra, NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh, and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Piyush Singh.Fly ash generation in India has remained above 300 MT annually, with utilisation rates consistently improving over the past few years. Stakeholders at the conference emphasised the need for expanding logistics, scaling up use in construction, and developing new applications to ensure 100 per cent utilisation in the coming years.