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?

States listed as major producers of thermal power include coastal states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu), indicating many thermal plants are located in states with a coastline.

A student can use a map to identify coastal thermal plants in these states and then check whether coastal location makes seawater cooling plausible for those plants.

Lists specific thermal power plants by name and district (e.g., Nellore), some of which are in coastal regions, providing examples of plants whose proximity to the sea could allow seawater use.

Look up the geographic location of the named plants (e.g., Nellore) on a map to see if they are coastal and thus candidates for seawater cooling/intake.

Describes the pattern that many thermal plants are sited close to coalfields (e.g., Korba, Obra), implying a distinct inland siting pattern for coal-fed plants as well.

Use this rule to contrast inland coal-based plants (less likely to use seawater) with coastal plants identified from other snippets to narrow which coal-based plants might use seawater.

Explains cooling options for power plants (discharging heated water into water bodies vs cooling towers/ponds), establishing that use of nearby water bodies is a standard cooling practice.

Combine this technical rule with geographic knowledge: if a coal plant is on the coast, the nearby water body (sea) could be used for cooling unless cooling towers are specified.