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 water-stressed district.
- 3.None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) None
None of the statements is correct, because each says that no coal plant in India does something that at least one plant does. The private Mundra plant in Gujarat uses seawater, and many coal plants stand in water-stressed areas.
- ✗ 1. The 4,000 MW Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project, a coastal plant, uses seawater; the Central Electricity Authority lists its water source as seawater, with fresh water made by desalination.
- ✗ 2. A World Resources Institute study, cited in a NITI Aayog-hosted report, found that more than 70% of India's coal power plants are in water-stressed or water-scarce areas.
- ✗ 3. Mundra UMPP is developed and run by Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, a Tata Power company, so privately owned coal plants exist. Coal capacity is spread across central, state and private owners.
Remember · A single counter-example defeats an 'none of them' claim: Mundra (Tata Power) is a private coal plant using seawater, and most coal plants lie in water-stressed areas.
Sources
- Detailed Status of awarded Ultra Mega Power Projects: Mundra UMPP (Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power) ↗ “Location : Mundra village in Kutch District, Gujarat Type of Plant : Coastal Name of Developer : Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (Tata Power Company Ltd) … Land : Power Plant - 3068 acres including Ash dyke, colony, corridors etc. Water : Seawater Sweet Water : Sweet Water generation by using Desalination Plant”
- Impact of Power Sector Growth on Water Resources (CSTEP study for NITI Aayog) ↗ “According to a World Resources Institute study, more than 70% of India’s coal power plants are located in water stressed or water scarce areas (WRI, 2014).”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·