Supreme Court Directs Thermal Plant FGD Emission Plea to NGT
The Supreme Court in New Delhi on Tuesday directed a petitioner to approach the National Green Tribunal with a plea seeking a direction to ensure the completion of installation and operationalisation of flue gas desulphurization systems in all category 'A' thermal power plants across the country.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana informed counsel appearing for the petitioner that the issues raised in the plea fall within the domain of the green tribunal. "We find that the prayers made herein can be effectively raised before the NGT," the bench stated.
The top court requested the tribunal to hear the petitioner regarding interim relief and pass appropriate orders. "We will request the NGT to examine and consider the interim issue on a priority basis," the bench said, while making it clear that it had not dealt with the merits of the petition.
Flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems are installed at coal-fired power plants to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions in line with environmental regulations. Category 'A' thermal power plants are those located within a 10-kilometre radius of the National Capital Region or cities having a million-plus population.
Counsel representing the petitioner argued before the judges that the timeline for complying with the mandate to install FGD systems in thermal power plants has been extended from time to time. The counsel emphasized that people are facing health hazards due to the environmental loss caused by pollution.
The top court noted that, according to the petitioner, the extended time to comply is set to expire in 2027. The petition had sought directions to the Centre and others to ensure the completion of installation and operationalisation of FGD units in all category 'A' thermal power plants across the country in a time-bound manner, referencing a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in December 2015.
Additionally, the plea sought the constitution of a high-power committee to monitor the progress of work on FGD installations and ensure compliance with emission norms across all category 'A' thermal power plants nationwide.
