Demanding immediate remedial action against the over 300 coal power plants across the country violating emission standard norms notified by the Union Environment Ministry in 2015, a group of doctors, lawyers, civil society organisations and residents on Thursday pointed towards new and alarming findings of increased sulphur dioxide emissions in India since 2012.
“These norms were to come into effect on December 7 [Thursday]. Despite being given two years to implement these norms, the Ministry of Power, the Central Electricity Authority and the power industry are attempting to push the dates by another five to seven years till 2022-24, and also relaxing water usage limits,” noted a release issued by the group.
Deadline day
To mark the emission deadline day, a group of citizens, volunteers and activists from Greenpeace India, Help Delhi Breathe, My Right to Breathe, Jhatkaa and many other groups representing people across India, gathered outside the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change “to remind the Minister about the expiring deadline tonight [on Thursday], and claiming their right to life and clean air”.
The new norms are related to limited emissions of particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and reduced water usage by coal powered thermal power plants. These emissions are key contributors to surging PM levels in India, with the coal power sector being a key contributor to air pollution.
“Greenpeace India’s 2016 Out of Sight report had identified air pollution hotspots in India that are visibly linked to thermal power plants clusters. An updated study identifies that emissions have increased by approximately 32% across the country in the past five years as revealed by satellite data. This in a country where people are already struggling for clean air and water security...,” noted the release.
New standards
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), if implemented the new standards will cut down approximately 40% of PM emissions and 48% of both nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide as pollutant from power generation sector.
Sunil Dahiya, senior campaigner, Greenpeace India, said: “Inaction by the government to implement emission standards for coal-based power plants is clear indication of the lack of political will, and demonstrates that interests of some industries like coal are placed above public health. This needs to change immediately. Big polluters should be brought to book for releasing toxic emissions into the atmosphere, as it is the government’s responsibility to ensure healthier and cleaner environment for its citizens. This will not be achieved without imposing stringent controls on polluting emissions by the power sector.”
