Premature deaths, high SO2 levels: Study points at fallout of thermal power station in Chandrapur

An independent study of Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has estimated that air pollution from the power station resulted in 85 premature deaths in Chandrapur, 62 in Nagpur, 45 in Yavatmal, 30 in Mumbai, 29 in Pune, and 29 premature deaths in Nanded among other cities across central India in 2020. CSTPS is one of the oldest and biggest Power Stations in the state and is situated 150 km from Nagpur.

CREA’s study is an independent assessment titled ‘Health impacts of Chandrapur coal-based power plant, Maharashtra’, which comes in the backdrop of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that had directed a health impact assessment study on the damage caused by the power station. The study also found that the SO2 levels were 2-8 times the prescribed levels.