Question 69 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Geography

Question

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:
1. None of them uses seawater.
2. None of them is set up in a water-stressed district.
3. None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. None of the above statements is correct

Strategy: The statements contain absolute claims, making them easy to refute:
*   **Statement 1 Invalid:** Coal-based thermal power plants, such as Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, utilize seawater, contradicting the claim.
*   **Statement 2 Invalid:** Many plants are situated in water-stressed regions.
*   **Statement 3 Invalid:** Private entities, including Tata Power and Adani, own and operate these plants.
Since all statements are incorrect, the appropriate answer is that none are correct.

Key Info: Coal-based thermal power plants are central to India's electricity generation.

*   **Water Usage**
    Such plants require large volumes of water for cooling. While many inland plants use river or reservoir water, several coastal installations--including Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (Mundra), Ennore Thermal Power Station, and UMPP sites--directly utilize seawater for condenser cooling and other operations. The use of 'once-through' systems at coasts enables continual intake and discharge of seawater after cooling.
*   **Water-Stressed Districts**
    Large coal-fired plants are found in water-stressed regions, such as the Ganga, Mahanadi, and Godavari river basins. Studies, including those by the World Resources Institute, highlight vulnerability due to water stress across central and eastern India where many plants are clustered, posing environmental and operational risks.
*   **Ownership**
    India's thermal power infrastructure combines public and private ownership. While NTPC and state entities hold large capacities, private companies--such as Tata Power (CGPL, Trombay), Adani Power (Mundra), Reliance Power (Sasan), and others--operate significant numbers of coal-fired plants.
*   **Environmental and Regulatory Concerns**
    Major impacts include water consumption, thermal pollution from heated discharges, and ensuring compliance with standards for temperature limits in discharged water per environmental norms.
*   **Statutory and Regulatory Aspects**
    The Electricity Act, 2003, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regulate plant siting, water use, and pollution control for all operators, both public and private.
*   **Examples**
    Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (Tata Power) and Adani Mundra are coastal plants using seawater and are privately owned, directly contradicting the three initial statements.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Only two

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: All three

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements: None of them uses seawater. None of them is set up in a water-stressed district. None of them is privately owned. How many of the above statements are correct?

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:

None of them uses seawater.

None of them is set up in a water-stressed district.

None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?