Coal-based thermal power plants worsening Delhi air pollution, says new study
ALSO READ: Breathless? Know the costs of rising air pollution in cities Roychowdhury said that these plants have not been able to meet the standards and "are at varying stages of progress simply because the target dates for compliance (with emission control norms) are shifting continually". The recent study by the environmental think tank focused on particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions from the 11 thermal power plants (TPPs) in Delhi-NCR.
The analysis was based on the environmental status reports of these plants accessed from the website of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a technical arm of the Union Ministry of Power, from April 2022 to August 2023. The study revealed that "only two of 11 plants in NCR have sulphur dioxide (SO2) control measures in place" and "only one meets the SO2 emission standards".
The CSE report said that despite multiple deadline extensions and revised categorisations by the Union Environment Ministry, many plants in the region are struggling to meet prescribed norms for emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. The ministry established stringent emission standards for coal-based power plants in December 2015, requiring compliance within two years.
"Since then, the norms have been diluted for several parameters and deadlines have been repeatedly delayed," the report said. Later, it granted a five-year extension to all power plants, except those in Delhi-NCR which were given until 2019 to comply due to the region's high pollution levels.
Read more on livemint.com
