Ash Hills Of Kolaghat

Little did I know the dangers of ash hills from thermal power plants quoted here when I was in Kolaghat. All I  could tell immediately was that it was difficult to breathe, difficult to even keep my eyes open. I wondered how the residents lived so close to these hills - but then they were everywhere dotting the landscape - that seemed bathed in shades of grey except for new leaves that would soon turn grey too. The water from fresh water ponds  - the only source of drinking water was grey as well.