A new analysis conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that thermal power plants (TPPs) in Delhi-NCR are significantly contributing to air pollution due to non-compliance with emission standards. The study focused on emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide from 11 thermal power plants in the region. The report, based on environmental status records sourced from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) between April 2022 and August 2023, emphasized the impact of these plants on air quality in Delhi-NCR. According to the findings, thermal power plants contribute around eight percent of the PM2.5 pollution in the region, posing severe challenges for achieving clean air benchmarks and safeguarding public health.

Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at CSE, highlighted the struggle of these plants to meet prescribed emission standards, attributing the non-compliance to shifting deadlines by authorities. The Union Environment Ministry had established stringent emission norms for coal-based power plants in 2015, initially granting a compliance window of two years. Later, deadline extensions were provided, but several plants in Delhi-NCR failed to meet the revised norms, necessitating further extensions. Despite categorization and revised deadlines in 2021, many plants continue to violate emission standards, particularly concerning sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter.

Despite being granted additional time for compliance, several thermal power plants in the NCR region, including those in Haryana and Punjab, reported emissions exceeding the prescribed limits, particularly for SO2 and NOx. The report highlighted concerns over malfunctioning or inadequate capacity of sulphur dioxide control equipment at certain plants, potentially leading to high SO2 readings.

DD Basu, former director of the CPCB, emphasized the critical importance of controlling SO2 emissions, highlighting their conversion into sulphates, which pose greater risks to both health and the environment by forming fine particulate matter. The analysis stresses the necessity for stringent compliance and effective monitoring to mitigate the adverse impact of thermal power plants on air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.