Pollution regulator threatens to shut 14 thermal plants over emission norms

The pollution watchdog has asked thermal stations in six states to respond within 15 days why these plants should not be closed down

Taking a strict view of thermal power stations’ failure to meet emission standards, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued warnings to 14 plants across six states of the country.

In a notice dated January 31, a day before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hinted in her Budget 2020 speech that coal-fired power stations failing to meet standards might be shut down, the pollution watchdog has asked the operators of these 14 thermal stations to respond within 15 days why they should not be closed down.

In her Budget speech on February 1, Sitharaman had said in Parliament: “For the