Lok Sabha Question No. 2017 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Emission from Thermal Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Shri Rakesh Rathor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2017 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## EMISSION FROM THERMAL POWER PLANTS

†2017. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR: SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any assessment to study the extent by which the emissions from Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in neighbouring States are contributing to the air pollution in Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  given  exemption  from  installing  pollution control  systems  like  Flue  Gas  Desulfurization  (FGD)  to  many  coal-based  power plants and if so, the number and details of such exempted units;
- (c) whether it is a fact that such exemption are causing high emissions from neighbouring  areas  and  thus  the  burden  of  pollution  is  being  shifted,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure strict compliance with  emission  norms  /  standards  to  ensure  that  the  pollution  control  systems remain fully operational and prevent inter-state displacement of air pollution?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (c): No such assessment / study has been conducted by the Ministry of Power to evaluate the extent to which emissions from Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) located in neighbouring states contribute to air pollution in Delhi.

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 its Notification dated 07.12.2015. Further, MoEF&CC vide Notification  dated  31.03.2021  prescribed  for  categorization  of  TPPs  into  three categories  i.e.  Category  A,  B  and  C  for  compliance  of  the  emission  standards. Accordingly, TPPs were classified as follows:

Note: As per 2011 census of India

| Sl. No.   | Category   | Location / Area                                                                         |   No. of TPPs |   No. of Units | Capacity (MW)   |
|-----------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|----------------|-----------------|
| 1         | Category A | Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region or cities having million plus population |            17 |             66 | 20,577          |
| 2         | Category B | Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities               |            25 |             72 | 24,057          |
| 3         | Category C | Other than those included in category A and B                                           |           149 |            462 | 1,66,885.5      |
| Total     | Total      | Total                                                                                   |           191 |            600 | 2,11,519.5      |

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.

In view of above, MoEF&CC has issued a Notification on 11.07.2025 regarding the  applicability  of  SO2  emission  standards  notified  vide  Notification  dated 07.12.2015.  Accordingly,  the  applicability  and  timelines  for  compliance  of  SO2 emission standards by TPPs are tabulated below:

| Category   | Applicability of SO 2 emission standards                                   | Timelines for Complianc e (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 | 31.12.2028                                        |                                                                   |

|            | the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for exemption from SO 2 emission standards, such TPP shall ensure meeting of stack height as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990.   |            |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| 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 |

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.

- (d): The  thermal  power  plants  are  mandated  to  install  Online  Continuous Emission  &  Effluent  Monitoring  System  (OCEMS)  for  continuous  emission  and effluent monitoring.

Further,  in  case  of  non-compliance  beyond  the  prescribed  timelines,  the following Environmental Compensation will 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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