71% of country power plants do not meet emission standards; Scope of pollution spreads far beyond the plants

Most coal-fired power stations in India do not adhere to environmental emission levels. A recent analysis published by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that of 537 power stations (units) in the country, 380, that is nearly 71 percent, are operating above the regulatory level of sulphur dioxide emissions. Some of these plants have been found to have an emission level 10 times in excess of what is allowed.

According to the analysis, Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) technology, which is effective in reducing sulfur dioxide produced by burning coal, was made mandatory across the country from 2015. Despite this, this system was installed in only 44 plants (8%) by 2024-25. This technology has not been installed in the remaining 493 plants yet. This shows that there is a deep gap between the announcement of policies and ground implementation. The analysis says that the Center's policy-making process in this direction is also under question. The rules made in 2015 were to be implemented by 2017, but the deadline has been postponed four times so far due to the slow pace of implementation. According to the recent decision, the final deadline for FGD installation has now been made 2029, which raises questions about the government's seriousness towards the rules.

According to CREA, 16% of the pollutants emitted spread far away from the plant site, affecting the air quality of remote and relatively clean areas. This simply means that the impact of this problem is becoming widespread rather than just local.

According to recent studies by IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay, there is more secondary (formed through chemical reaction) PM 2.5 in India's air than primary (direct) PM 2.5. Sulfur dioxide plays a major role in this. Studies also show that power plants contribute about 11% to the country's PM 2.5 pollution, which is equal to the emissions from vehicles.