Lest We Forget – A status report of neglect of coal ash accidents in India (August 2019–May 2021) by the Fly Ash Watch Group

Widespread coal flyash mismanagement and non-compliance with laws, norms, and court orders by thermal power plants highlight that ash pollution from power generation is yet to be treated as a serious threat by authorities and power generators. Lest We Forget provides the current status of eight coal ash accidents that have occurred in India between August 2019 and May 2021. Spanning across six states, the accidents are of ash pond breaches, ash slurry pipeline leaks, and ash slurry discharge into water bodies. The report provides information on the underlying causes of the accidents, the latest status of compensation, remediation, and follow-up action (or lack thereof), and recommendations for the way forward. The report is a collaborative effort of ASAR Social Impact Advisors Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Research on Energy & Clean Air, and Manthan Adhyayan Kendra and has been brought out on behalf of the collective of the Fly Ash Watch Group.

Report Published on 7th July 2021