As Delhi chokes due to air pollution, power plants are set to miss emissions deadline

NEW DELHI : Eight of the plants, whose operators include Vedanta Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Ltd. and Uttar Pradesh Power Corp., have yet to order the required flue-gas desulfurization units, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The units can take as long as three years to secure and install, and it’s unclear if the operators will be penalized by authorities if they miss the deadline.

Air pollution levels in Delhi reached near record levels this month, forcing schools to shut and keeping residents indoors. If the emissions standards were implemented nationwide, India could avoid more than 300,000 premature deaths through 2030, according to a study by the Bengaluru-based Center for Study of Science, Technology & Policy.