Vijayawada: Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said the government is taking concrete steps to curb pollution from the Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS). A coal storage shed is also being constructed to reduce pollution, the Minister added. Only trucks owned by local residents will be used for ash transportation. On the health front, Ravi Kumar said the energy department is extending medical benefits to villagers on par with its employees. The minister reiterated that the government’s priority is to balance power generation with environmental protection while safeguarding the health and livelihood of local communities around NTTPS.