Online monitoring: NGT notice to 35 thermal plants

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) today moved the National Green Tribunal, alleging that 35 thermal power plants across the country have failed to install online effluent and emission monitoring system, despite its direction.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Power and 35 thermal power stations located in different parts of the country and sought their replies.
The thermal power stations which have been asked to respond include Thermal Power Plants in Hasdeo, Raichur, Koradi, Satpura, Khaparkheda, Paras and Parli besides Kamal Sponge Steel And Power Ltd, Indo Rama Synthetics, Uttam Galva Steels, Aurobindo Agro Energy, Kaveri Gas Power Limited, NLC Ltd, Saheli Exports Pvt Ltd and a 16 MW gas-based thermal power project in Tripura.

The plea, filed through advocate Balendu Shekhar, has sought directions to these plants to comply with its order for installation of online effluent and emission monitoring system.
The plea claimed that directions were issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the CPCB Chairman on July 21, 2015 to 318 thermal power plants located in various states and union territories for installation of these systems.
It had directed all state pollution control boards to install online continuous stack emission monitoring system in 17 categories of highly polluting industries and in common hazardous wastes and biomedical waste incinerators.

But no satisfactory response has been received from 35 thermal power plants which have "deliberately failed" to respond the directions issued by the CPCB, it said.
"Direct the thermal power stations to prepare a time- bound action plan for installation of Online Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring Systems and execution of such time bound plan of action.
"Impose appropriate penalties on them on the ground of Polluter Pay Principal on account of their non cooperation and inaction which has resulted in huge loss of health, soil, animal, crops and ground water etc apart from exemplary damages," the plea said.