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India’s Coal Power Boom Clashes with Water Scarcity in Vulnerable Regions

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New Delhi – June 9, 2025: As India pushes forward with its energy expansion, a worrying clash has emerged between thermal power development and the nation’s water resources. The central government has greenlit ₹80,000 crore (approx. $9.6 billion) in new coal-fired power plants—44 in total—many of which are located in already water-scarce regions.

Environmentalists and policy experts warn that these projects could tip vulnerable ecosystems into crisis, threatening drinking water access, agriculture, and public health in nearby communities.

44 New Coal Plants—and Growing Risks

The Ministry of Power has fast-tracked construction of 44 new coal-fired thermal power plants, aiming to meet rising energy demand and reduce dependence on energy imports. However, a significant number of these projects are located in states like:

  • Chhattisgarh
  • Odisha
  • Jharkhand
  • Maharashtra
  • Telangana

These are areas already grappling with seasonal droughts, falling groundwater tables, and poor water infrastructure.

Why Coal Power Consumes So Much Water

Thermal plants require vast quantities of water for cooling and steam generation. A single large coal plant can use up to 4–5 million litres of water per day. When dozens of such plants are concentrated in dry belts, local rivers and aquifers face irreversible depletion.

A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that over 40% of India’s thermal plants are located in “high water-stress” zones.

Communities Raise the Alarm

Farmers in Korba, Chhattisgarh—often dubbed the coal capital of India—have reported reduced irrigation water availability and recurring crop failures. “We used to get canal water, now it’s redirected to factories,” said Bhupendra Sahu, a local farmer.

In Odisha’s Angul district, tribal communities are staging protests, alleging that water from the Brahmani River is being prioritized for industrial use over drinking water needs.

Government’s Balancing Act

Union Power Minister R.K. Singh stated that “water-saving technologies” such as air-cooled condensers will be employed to mitigate risks. However, environmental groups argue that implementation is inconsistent and oversight is weak.

The National Water Mission has flagged concerns that energy sector growth is outpacing hydrological planning.

Experts Call for Policy Overhaul

Energy experts are urging the government to:

  • Shift investment toward renewables and decentralised solar systems
  • Conduct cumulative water impact assessments for thermal projects
  • Strengthen community water rights and local governance

With climate change intensifying monsoon unpredictability, the risk of water-energy conflict is only growing.

Veer Rana

Veer Rana is a seasoned news anchor covering national affairs, politics, economy, regional issues, science, and health. Known for his sharp analysis and clear reporting, he brings credibility and insight to India’s top stories.

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Raja Raghuvanshi Was Killed on 4th Attempt, Cops Share Why 3 Previous Bids Failed

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Shocking revelations from Meghalaya Police

On June 13, 2025, Meghalaya Police disclosed that Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old Indore-based transporter, was murdered on their fourth attempt during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. Three prior attempts had been foiled due to logistical issues and changing plans n

The First Three Failed Attempts

  1. Guwahati: The initial plot to eliminate Raja in Assam’s capital was abandoned due to poor timing and travel shifts .
  2. Sohra (Cherrapunji): Two further attempts in the Meghalaya hills — one near Nongriat and another between Mawlakhiat and Wei Sawdong — failed due to the absence of a suitable site to dispose of the body

The Fatal Fourth Attempt

The conspirators finally succeeded at the secluded Wei Sawdong Falls on May 23, 2025. Raja was ambushed, hacked to death, and his body was thrown into a deep gorge

Premeditation & Planning

  • The plot—a convergence of deceit and cold planning—originated in Indore and occurred just 11 days before Raja and Sonam’s wedding
  • Sonam, allegedly coerced into marrying Raja, conspired with her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha, who allegedly masterminded the entire operation
  • A chilling backup plan involved faking Sonam’s death by burning another woman’s body to facilitate her escape

Arrests & Ongoing Investigation

  • Sonam surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and the SIT team from Meghalaya has taken over the investigation
  • All four accused — Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, plus the three hired killers — have confessed; police are still probing the motive and potential wider conspiracy

Quick Takeaways

  • Premeditated murder: The killing plot was meticulously planned across multiple Indian states.
  • Multiple failures: The first three assassination bids collapsed due to location and timing issues.
  • Final strike: Wei Sawdong Falls provided the remote setting needed for the fourth and fatal attempt.
  • Complex motive: Involves alleged coercion, infidelity, and an elaborate escape plan.
Veer Rana

Veer Rana is a seasoned news anchor covering national affairs, politics, economy, regional issues, science, and health. Known for his sharp analysis and clear reporting, he brings credibility and insight to India’s top stories.

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Delhi Braces for 45.1°C Scorcher as Heatwave Intensifies

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🌡️ Why the Mercury Is Soaring

  • Persistent heatwave warning: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts across Delhi and adjoining North Indian regions due to ongoing heatwave conditions
  • Climate-change disruption: Expert analyses point to disrupted pre-monsoon wind patterns and weakening moisture flow, compounded by high-pressure systems bringing dry air from the Thar Desert, pushing Delhi temperatures past 45 °C .
  • Although monsoon progression and western disturbances have cooled things slightly in recent days, record highs still persist in many pockets

🏥 Heat & Health: Risks to Watch

  • “Feels-like” index dangerously elevated: With humidity added into the mix, heat indices approach 50 °C, exacerbating the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses
  • Vulnerable groups at greatest risk: The elderly, children, outdoor laborers, and those with health issues face heightened risks like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and worsening of chronic conditions
  • Strain on essential services: Health and power systems are stressed, leading to load-shedding and strained medical infrastructure across the region
Veer Rana

Veer Rana is a seasoned news anchor covering national affairs, politics, economy, regional issues, science, and health. Known for his sharp analysis and clear reporting, he brings credibility and insight to India’s top stories.

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Sunjay Kapur Dies of Heart Attack During Polo Match

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What Happened During the Polo Match

On June 12, 2025, during a semi-final match of the Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, UK, Sunjay Kapur, 53, chairman of Sona Comstar, suddenly collapsed on the field. Witnesses say he remarked, “I’ve swallowed something,” before falling unconscious The company confirmed he suffered a “sudden heart attack”

Several reports indicate he may have swallowed a bee, which stung him internally and triggered anaphylactic shock, ultimately leading to cardiac arrest


Medical Insight – Bee Sting, Anaphylaxis & Cardiac Arrest

Anaphylactic Shock and Kounis Syndrome

Experts note that venom injected into the throat or mouth can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, causing airway swelling, drastic drop in blood pressure, and even Kounis syndrome, wherein coronary arteries spasm and lead to a heart attack

Choking and Hypoxia

Another theory is sudden airway obstruction from the swallowed bee, causing oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and potentially triggering cardiac arrest—especially if an underlying heart condition exists

Cardiologists emphasize that sting inside the throat can rapidly block breathing, lower oxygen levels, and overload the heart


Who Was Sunjay Kapur?

  • Chairman of Sona Comstar, a global automotive technology firm with nine international plants; net worth ~US $1.2 billion
  • Former husband of actress Karisma Kapoor (married 2003–2016), father to Samaira (b. 2005) and Kiaan (b. 2011)
  • Married model Priya Sachdev in 2017; they share son Azarias (b. 2018)
  • A close friend of Prince William and an avid polo player on the UK elite circuit

Immediate Aftermath & Expert Advice

  • Guards Polo Club and Sona Comstar issued statements extending condolences to Kapur’s family
  • Medical experts stress keeping EpiPens ready, especially in outdoor settings, and wearing protective gear such as mouthguards during sports
  • Cardiologists advise thorough cardiac check-ups before engaging in strenuous activities and highlight a phenomenon increasingly noted among men aged 40–50
Veer Rana

Veer Rana is a seasoned news anchor covering national affairs, politics, economy, regional issues, science, and health. Known for his sharp analysis and clear reporting, he brings credibility and insight to India’s top stories.

Continue Reading

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