THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BONGAIGAON, MAY 21, 2026

Emphasising that ash must be repositioned as a valuable resource with strong revenue potential, NTPC Director (Operations) Ravindra Kumar on Thursday called for accelerated digital integration and infrastructure strengthening to drive sustainable ash utilization across NTPC stations. He was inaugurating the two-day Heads of Ash Management Meet–2026 at NTPC Limited Bongaigaon, centred on the theme “Driving Sustainable Ash Utilization with Digital Transformation.”

In his keynote address, Kumar stressed the critical role of digital initiatives in enhancing efficiency and transparency in ash management operations. He urged all NTPC stations to actively leverage the AsTraM portal for streamlined tracking, transportation monitoring and billing processes, thereby ensuring greater operational accountability and optimisation.

Highlighting the importance of logistics and infrastructure development, he called for the optimisation of the Rail-Cum-Road (RCR) mode to strengthen long-distance ash transportation. He also underscored the need for expediting the completion of DAES facilities and maintaining an uncompromising focus on safety standards at ash dykes.

The inaugural session was attended by Vijay Chand, RED–ER II; R.B. Mallik, ED, Ash Management–NI; Chandramouli Kasina, ED–SSEA; Arnab Maitra, HoP, Bongaigaon; G. Raja Shekar, GM, Corporate Vigilance; Anurag Gupta, GM, O&M Bongaigaon; and Subhash Gokhale, GM, AMCC.

The meet has brought together Heads of Ash Utilization Departments from various NTPC stations, members of the Corporate OS and Ash Management teams, regional representatives and representatives of the USSC Group.

The two-day programme features presentations by AMCC, Corporate Vigilance, NTPC stations on a region-wise basis and the USSC Group, along with discussions on emerging initiatives and best practices in ash utilization. A technical visit to the NTPC Bongaigaon Ash Dyke has also been planned to provide practical exposure and promote solution-oriented collaboration among participating teams.