Govt set to dilute 3.5-year-old air pollution norms for thermal plants

Power ministry pushed for dilution after the full implementation of the standards was already delayed by five years, from 2017 to 2022

Three and a half years after they were first notified, the government is set to partially dilute air pollution standards for thermal power plants. The decision to dilute the standards retrospectively comes after the Central Government has already delayed their implementation by five years, shifting the deadline for full compliance from 2017 to 2022.

The government has informed the Supreme Court, in an on-going case on air pollution, that the standard for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from thermal power plants installed between 2003-16 will be raised from existing 300 gm/Nm3 to 450 gm/Nm3.

This comes after the power ministry