Smita Mishra 
In the realm of India’s power sector, a visionary leader has emerged, illuminating the path to a brighter, more sustainable future. With a career spanning over two and a half decades, Shri Ashok Kumar Sehgal, the newly appointed Head of Project at NTPC Talcher Kaniha, has been instrumental in shaping the destiny of India’s power landscape. His remarkable journey, marked by unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and a passion for excellence, is an inspiration to countless individuals in the industry.
Shri Ashok Kumar Sehgal’s academic excellence laid the foundation for his illustrious career. A mechanical engineer by profession, he holds an M.Tech degree in Power Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. Additionally, he has acquired a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). With a strong educational foundation and a drive to excel, Shri Sehgal joined NTPC in 1989 as an Executive Trainee at NSPCL Durgapur, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would take him to the pinnacle of success.
Recently we had an exclusive opportunity to meet Mr. Ashok Kumar Sehgal and delve into his remarkable story. It becomes evident that his passion for excellence is contagious. His tenure at NTPC has been punctuated by numerous accolades, including the prestigious Swarna Shakti Award, CII-EXIM Bank BE Platinum Award, and the Platinum Sustainability Award, among others. These recognitions are a testament to Shri Sehgal’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and workplace safety.
Under Shri Sehgal’s leadership, NTPC Talcher Kaniha has embarked on a transformative journey, with a focus on innovation, technology, and community welfare. The station’s impressive array of CSR initiatives is a shining example of Shri Sehgal’s dedication to giving back to the community. From providing solar-powered drinking water facilities to nearby villages, to empowering girl children through the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) program, NTPC Talcher Kaniha’s community outreach programs have made a tangible impact on the lives of countless individuals.
The station has also installed 32 solar-powered drinking water facilities for the mine void filling pipeline corridor, providing quality drinking water to villages. Additionally, a mobile medical unit and maternal and child health care unit have been established to cater to the health needs of nearby villages, with 25 villages, 436 health camps, and over 21,000 OPD patients benefiting from these initiatives.
Furthermore, NTPC Talcher Kaniha has provided a Type C BLS ambulance to Kaniha CHC, which is being used for the health needs of nearby community people. The station has also distributed tricycles, wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids to 112 differently-abled persons in an ALIMCO distribution camp.
Extensive afforestation efforts have been undertaken, with 16,000 trees planted using the MIYAWAKI method, and plans to plant another 16,000 trees are underway at Shiv-parvati park. The station has also awarded scholarships to 315 meritorious students under the Utkarsh Scholarship program, promoting educational interest among village students.
Other initiatives that have improved the standard of living of community people include the installation of solar street lights, rooftop solar systems, community centers, toilet complexes, and renovation of village ponds. NTPC Kaniha team has carried out renovation of 3 village ponds, which has been a game-changer for the community.
An Integrated Agriculture & Livelihood Development Project has also been initiated, focusing on mushroom cultivation, goat rearing, and other initiatives. Rural cultural meets and rural sports meets have been organized as collaboration initiatives to take along community people with NTPC’s growth journey.
Shri Sehgal’s vision for NTPC Talcher Kaniha is built around eight key pillars, including Zero Harm, Lesser Carbon, Circular Economy, and Community & People, among others. His emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship is evident in the station’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, promote renewable energy sources, and implement efficient waste management practices.
When asked about the impact of digital revolution on the thermal energy sector, Shri Sehgal’s response was both insightful and reassuring. “The Kaniha plant was made 30 years ago. And obviously, there is a lot of scope for technology development. We are exploring AI to optimize our decision-making. About replacing manpower, we try our best to use AI to become beneficial for our workers, not replacing them since this Kaniha plant is responsible for 1000s of employment of people across the globe, especially from people from neighboring areas, so we try our best to maintain that.”
Shri Sehgal’s commitment to safety is unwavering, and his emphasis on leveraging technology to enhance safety measures is commendable. The station’s use of automated cameras, CCTV, and other safety features is a testament to Shri Sehgal’s dedication to ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.
As we conclude our conversation with Shri Sehgal, it becomes evident that his legacy extends far beyond his impressive professional achievements. His message to the younger generation is both inspiring and thought-provoking. “The youth should look for how they can reskill themselves, develop themselves according to the market. Not only in hardware but also in software skills since the digital revolution is strengthening itself.”
In a world where concerns about resource depletion are rampant, Shri Sehgal’s reassurance about the availability of coal is both comforting and enlightening. “Look, coal is not going to end any soon. A very good emerging renewable energy like solar energy is helping us to shift the entire burden from coal, and that is how I can assure coal is not going to end very soon.”
Shri Sehgal’s leadership has also been instrumental in addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by NTPC Talcher Kaniha – the reuse of fly ash. “We have supplied 1 crore tonnes of fly ash to NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) to reuse the ash in road building. And we are proud that Odisha played a predominant role in this sector. Last year, more than 200 kilometers of road was made using the ash we provided. It not only helped in road making but also helped in providing vast employment to many sectors from transportation to construction.”
As we reflect on Shri Sehgal’s remarkable journey, it becomes evident that his impact on NTPC Talcher Kaniha extends far beyond his professional achievements. His commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community welfare has created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
With his visionary leadership, Shri Ashok Kumar Sehgal is poised to take NTPC Talcher Kaniha to even greater heights, cementing its position as a leader in the power sector. As we conclude our conversation with Shri Sehgal, we cannot help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for this remarkable individual, who is truly making a difference in the world of power and beyond.
