Submit report on Anpara thermal power plant: NGT to CPCB

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit report on the emission standards of the Anpara thermal power plant located at Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the direction after the apex pollution monitoring body informed it that the power plant was not managing its fly ash properly.
The green panel directed the chief general manager of the power plant to be present before it.
"Counsel appearing for CPCB has brought to our notice that Anpara thermal plant in district Sonabhadra, UP is found to be worst amongst all in relation to emission standards dealing with the management of the fly ash... They shall place on record analysis reports as well as inspection report before the tribunal," the bench, which also comprised Justice Jawad Rahim, said.

The NGT said that despite repeated directions, the correct information regarding thermal power plants causing pollution have not been provided to it.
It had earlier directed the CPCB to inspect sites where thermal power plants were discharging effluents in the Ganga basin or pay Rs one lakh as fine.

The tribunal had asked the counsel for the CPCB to physically examine the sites where thermal power plants are located in the first phase of Ganga cleansing project between Gomukh and Haridwar.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action seeking regulation of thermal power plants located in the Ganga river basin.

The plea also sought directions to ensure that fly ash is not released into the Ganga river or its tributaries.
It has alleged that there were more than 25-year old power plants, which were not technologically advanced and were polluting the river.