Even after multiple extensions, only 5 per cent of India’s coal-fired power plants have installed flue gas de-sulfurisation (FGD) systems, which are air pollution control devices for sulphur dioxide emissions, a new analysis has said.
The analysis by environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is based on the updated FGD status released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the technical arm of the Ministry of Power, in April.
The Union environment ministry had specified the emission norms for coal-based power plants in December 2015. However, these have been diluted for various parameters, and deadlines have been repeatedly extended.
