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: D. NONE of the three statements is correct. (1) None uses seawater: WRONG. Coastal coal-fired thermal power plants in India DO use seawater for cooling (once-through seawater cooling). Examples include Trombay (Tata Power) on Mumbai coast, Tuticorin Thermal Power Station in Tamil Nadu, Vizhinjam-area projects in Kerala. Seawater is a widely used coolant for coastal plants. (2) None set up in water-stressed districts: WRONG. Several coal-fired thermal plants ARE located in water-stressed districts. Examples include Korba (Chhattisgarh), parts of Vidarbha (Maharashtra) and central MP, areas designated as water-stressed by Central Water Commission. The Ministry of Power has even modified some plant designs (air-cooled condensers, dry cooling) for water-stressed locations. (3) None is privately owned: WRONG. Many large coal-fired thermal plants in India are PRIVATELY OWNED. Examples include Adani Mundra Power, Tata Mundra, Reliance Sasan, JSW Energy plants, Vedanta Talwandi Sabo, GMR Energy. Source: Central Electricity Authority reports / Ministry of Power data.