Ropar: No pong ash is being used from Ropar thermal plant for the construction of Kurali-Kiratpur Sahib stretch of the National Highway 21 despite strict guidelines of the government of India. Under notification issued by the Union government on September 14, 1999, use of fly ash, if available, is mandatory for all projects being constructed in the 100 km radius of any thermal plant. The regulations issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF), government of India, states that all thermal plants will have to ensure 100 per cent utilisation of solid waste (fly ash plus furnace- bottom ash). By not using fly ash (containing 20 per cent of burning bottom ash), the authorities are violating norms and stipulations. Last year, the construction company executing works for the national highway authority of India (NHAI) on Kurali-Kiratpur Sahib stretch, had taken just 10,000 cubic meters of ash from the Ropar thermal plant. The ash taken covers an area of just 200 meters at the point where NH 21 passes the Bhakra main line canal near the thermal plant in Ghanouli village. Presently, ACC cement and Ambuja cement are using 80 per cent of the fly ash produced from the thermal plant, while rest 20 per cent is being added to ash dykes situated on the outskirts of the thermal plant. In the absence of ash, the construction agency is using mud to fill the earth and raise level of the road. Most of the mud used is being brought from hills nearby. When contacted, project director of NHAI Anil Dahiya said he was not aware of any such violation.