Lok Sabha Question No. 115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Emissions from Thermal Power Plants in National Capital Region
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.115 ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026

## EMISSIONS FROM THERMAL POWER PLANTS IN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

115.   SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  extent  to  which  emissions  from thermal power plants in neighbouring States contribute to Delhi's air pollution and if so, the details and findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has granted exemptions (in addition to extensions) to multiple coal-based power plants from installing pollution control equipment such as Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems and if so, the details thereof including the number and details of such exempted units;
- (c) whether  the  Government  recognizes  that  such  exemptions  could  lead  to persistently high emissions in neighbouring regions and thus displace pollution burden and if so, the measures taken in this regard; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Ministry to enforce strict compliance with emission norms, ensure operational pollution control systems and prevent transfer of pollution burden from one State to another to create tangible impact?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : There is a total of 11 coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) with 35 units (13,555 MW) located within 300 km of Delhi-NCR region [i.e States of; Haryana- 05 TPPs (12 units), Punjab- 04 TPPs (13 units) and Uttar Pradesh-02 TPPs (10 units)].

As  per  The  Energy  and  Resources  Institute  (TERI)-Automotive  Research Association  of  India  (ARAI)  Source  Apportionment  study  (2018),  the  contribution  of Power Plants to PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Delhi during winter 2016 was assessed at 6% and 5% respectively, while during summer 2016, the contribution was 7%. However, the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant was operational during the study period, which has been permanently shut down since October, 2018.

(b) to (c) : The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC) notified emission standards [including Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)] for coal / lignite based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. Further, MoEF&CC vide  Notification  dated  31.03.2021  prescribed  for  categorization  of  TPPs  into  the following three categories for compliance of the emission standards:

………2

Category A: Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region or cities having million plus population;

Category B: Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities; Category C: Other than those included in category A and B

The SO2 emission standards prescribed in MoEF&CC Notification dated 07.12.2015 have been reviewed by the Central Government taking into consideration the various representations  received  regarding  exemption  or  relaxation  in  timelines  of  these standards  due  to  limited  availability  of  technology  providers,  its  techno-economic feasibility, negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain, price escalation due to  high  demand  and  low  supplies,  low  SO2  concentration  in  ambient  air  and  heavy burden on consumers due to increase in electricity price etc.

Besides,  the  scientific  studies  conducted  by  independent  research  institutions regarding  effectiveness  &  rationale  behind  these  standards  and  its  role  in  overall ambient  air  pollution  of  the  region  were  also  considered  to  evaluate  the  need  of universal applicability and enforcement of these standards.

Based on the above, MoEF&CC issued a Notification dated 11.07.2025 specifying the  applicability  and  compliance  timelines  of  SO ₂ emission  standards,  as  detailed below:

| Category   | Applicability of SO 2 emission standards                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Timelines for Compliance (Non- retiring units)   | Last date for retirement of units for exemption from compliance   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Category A | Mandatory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 31.12.2027                                       | 31.12.2030                                                        |
| Category B | To be decided on a case-to-case basis by the Central Government based upon the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for exemption from SO2 emission standards, such TPP shall ensure meeting of stack height as per notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990. | 31.12.2028                                       | 31.12.2030                                                        |
| Category C | Not applicable subject to condition of meeting stack height as per notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 31.12.2029                                       | 31.12.2030                                                        |

………3.

The category wise applicability of SO2 emission standards in TPPs have been decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO2 concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs. This approach applies the  precautionary  principle  for  controlling  and  abating  air  pollution  in  densely populated and other air pollution sensitive areas, while also emphasizing on resource conservation  by  avoiding  additional  consumption  of  water,  auxiliary  power,  and limestone, and avoiding the increase in carbon footprint/CO2 emissions resulting from the operation of deployed control measures, as well as mining and transportation of limestone required for these measures.

Out of the 11 TPPs (35 units) located within 300 km of Delhi-NCR region, 14 units (5,350 MW) fall under Category-A, while the remaining 21 units (8,205 MW) fall under Category-C. The details of these Delhi-NCR plants along with SO2 compliance status is given at Annexure.

(d) : The Thermal Power Plants are regulated through grant of Consent to Establish and/or Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act, 1974  and  Air  (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1981  by  concerned  State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). These Acts also include penal provisions for noncompliance of environmental standards.

Moreover,  in  case  of  non-compliance  beyond  the  prescribed  timelines,  the following Environmental Compensation can also be levied on non-compliant TPPs:

| Non-Compliant operation beyond the Timeline   |   Environmental Compensations (Rs. per unit electricity generated) |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 0-180 days                                    |                                                                0.2 |
| 181-365 days                                  |                                                                0.3 |
| 366 days and beyond                           |                                                                0.4 |

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## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 115 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 29.01.2026

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## Details of Delhi NCR units along with SO2 compliance status

| Sl. No.   | State         | Sector   | Organisation   | Name of Project    | Category   |   Unit No. |   Total Capacity (MW) | Date of Commissioning   | FGD Installation Status               |
|-----------|---------------|----------|----------------|--------------------|------------|------------|-----------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 1         | Haryana       | Central  | NTPC           | INDIRA GANDHI STPP | A          |          1 |                   500 | 31-10-2010              | FGD installed                         |
| 2         | Haryana       | Central  | NTPC           | INDIRA GANDHI STPP | A          |          2 |                   500 | 05-11-2011              | FGD installed                         |
| 3         | Haryana       | Central  | NTPC           | INDIRA GANDHI STPP | A          |          3 |                   500 | 07-11-2012              | FGD installed                         |
| 4         | Haryana       | Private  | JhPL(HR)       | MAHATMA GANDHI TPS | A          |          1 |                   660 | 12-01-2012              | FGD installed                         |
| 5         | Haryana       | Private  | JhPL(HR)       | MAHATMA GANDHI TPS | A          |          2 |                   660 | 11-04-2012              | FGD installed                         |
| 6         | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | PANIPAT TPS        | A          |          6 |                   210 | 31-03-2001              | Bid opened                            |
| 7         | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | PANIPAT TPS        | A          |          7 |                   250 | 28-09-2004              | Bid opened                            |
| 8         | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | PANIPAT TPS        | A          |          8 |                   250 | 28-01-2005              | Bid opened                            |
| 9         | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | RAJIV GANDHI TPS   | C          |          1 |                   600 | 31-03-2010              |                                       |
| 10        | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | RAJIV GANDHI TPS   | C          |          2 |                   600 | 01-10-2010              |                                       |
| 11        | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | YAMUNA NAGAR TPS   | C          |          1 |                   300 | 01-11-2007              |                                       |
| 12        | Haryana       | State    | HPGCL          | YAMUNA NAGAR TPS   | C          |          2 |                   300 | 29-03-2008              | Category C                            |
| 13*       | Punjab        | Private  | NPL            | RAJPURA TPP        | C          |          1 |                   700 | 24-01-2014              | units are                             |
| 14*       | Punjab        | Private  | NPL            | RAJPURA TPP        | C          |          2 |                   700 | 06-07-2014              | exempted                              |
| 15        | Punjab        | Private  | TSPL           | TALWANDI SABO TPP  | C          |          1 |                   660 | 17-06-2014              | vide                                  |
| 16        | Punjab        | Private  | TSPL           | TALWANDI SABO TPP  | C          |          2 |                   660 | 25-10-2015              | MoEF&CC                               |
| 17        | Punjab        | Private  | TSPL           | TALWANDI SABO TPP  | C          |          3 |                   660 | 29-03-2016              | Notification dated                    |
| 18        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | GH TPS (LEH.MOH.)  | C          |          1 |                   210 | 29-12-1997              | 11.07.2025                            |
| 19        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | GH TPS (LEH.MOH.)  | C          |          2 |                   210 | 16-10-1998              |                                       |
| 20        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | GH TPS (LEH.MOH.)  | C          |          3 |                   250 | 03-01-2008              |                                       |
| 21        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | GH TPS (LEH.MOH.)  | C          |          4 |                   250 | 31-07-2008              |                                       |
| 22        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | ROPAR TPS          | C          |          3 |                   210 | 31-03-1988              |                                       |
| 23        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | ROPAR TPS          | C          |          4 |                   210 | 29-01-1989              |                                       |
| 24        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | ROPAR TPS          | C          |          5 |                   210 | 29-03-1992              |                                       |
| 25        | Punjab        | State    | PSPCL          | ROPAR TPS          | C          |          6 |                   210 | 30-03-1993              |                                       |
| 26        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          1 |                   210 | 21-12-1991              | FGD installed                         |
| 27        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          2 |                   210 | 18-12-1992              | FGD installed                         |
| 28        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          3 |                   210 | 23-03-1993              | FGD installed                         |
| 29        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          4 |                   210 | 24-03-1994              | FGD installed                         |
| 30        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          5 |                   490 | 25-01-2010              | FGD installed                         |
| 31        | Uttar Pradesh | Central  | NTPC           | DADRI (NCTPP)      | A          |          6 |                   490 | 16-07-2010              | FGD installed                         |
| 32        | Uttar Pradesh | State    | UPRVUNL        | HARDUAGANJ TPS     | C          |          7 |                   105 | 31-03-1978              | Category C units are                  |
| 33        | Uttar Pradesh | State    | UPRVUNL        | HARDUAGANJ TPS     | C          |          8 |                   250 | 27-09-2011              | exempted vide                         |
| 34        | Uttar Pradesh | State    | UPRVUNL        | HARDUAGANJ TPS     | C          |          9 |                   250 | 25-05-2012              | MoEF&CC Notification dated 11.07.2025 |
| 35        | Uttar Pradesh | State    | UPRVUNL        | HARDUAGANJ TPS     | C          |         10 |                   660 | 29-01-2022              | FGD installed                         |

* Installation of FGDs in Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 (2x700 MW) of Rajpura TPP, NPL have been completed and the FGD systems are 'Ready for Testing and commissioning' since July 2023 and January 2024 respectively. However, the matter is subjudice in Hon'ble Supreme Court.

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