Why in the News?

Recently the Environment Ministry of India has recently exempted most coal-fired power plants from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems, reversing its 2015 mandate. This move weakens efforts to control sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, a harmful air pollutant.

Why has FGD installation been exempted for most coal plants?

• Low Sulphur Content in Indian Coal: Indian coal contains naturally low sulphur, reducing the urgency to control SO₂ emissions. Eg: The expert committee stated that SO₂ levels near plants using Indian coal were already below permissible limits.
• High Installation and Operational Costs: Installing FGD systems is capital-intensive and can increase electricity tariffs. Eg: Many private power producers cited cost constraints as a barrier to following the 2015 FGD mandate.
• Limited Vendor Capacity in India: There is a shortage of FGD equipment suppliers, causing delays in implementation. Eg: From 2015–2024, only 8% of 600 units installed FGDs, primarily by NTPC (a public sector company).
• Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic caused supply chain disruptions and delayed project execution timelines. Eg: The Environment Ministry cited COVID-related delays for missing 2024 FGD deadlines.
• Scientific Reassessment of SO₂ Effects: New studies suggest sulphates formed from SO₂ may have a climate-cooling effect, weakening the urgency of emission controls. Eg: The Power Ministry argued that reducing sulphates could actually worsen global warming.

How does SO₂ affect health and air quality?

• Respiratory Health Impacts: Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) irritates the respiratory tract, causing issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and shortness of breath, especially among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. In Delhi, spikes in SO₂ levels have been linked to increased hospital visits for respiratory ailments during winter months.
• Formation of Particulate Matter (PM2.5): SO₂ reacts in the atmosphere to form sulphate aerosols, a major component of PM2.5, which penetrates deep into lungs and contributes to air pollution. Industrial belts like Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh record high levels of particulate pollution, partly due to emissions from coal-fired plants.
• Reduced Visibility and Environmental Damage: SO₂ contributes to acid rain and haze, damaging crops, soil, and water sources, and reducing visibility. Areas near thermal power plants, such as in Chhattisgarh, have reported acidic soil degradation, affecting agriculture.

What does selective FGD enforcement indicate about regulation?

• Location-Based Policy Inconsistency: The decision to mandate FGD installation only near NCR and urban hotspots suggests that environmental regulations are being applied selectively, not based on uniform scientific standards, but geographical and political considerations.
• Weak Enforcement and Shifting Priorities: Exempting most coal plants despite earlier commitments reflects regulatory dilution, raising concerns about policy backtracking and the government’s willingness to compromise on environmental health in favor of industrial or economic concerns.
• Undermining Scientific Credibility and Public Trust: Ignoring the original mandate without robust public debate weakens trust in evidence-based regulation, indicating that scientific advisories are not consistently followed in policy implementation.

Why is public debate vital before policy shifts on pollution?

• Ensures Transparency and Accountability: Open public debate creates transparency, compelling policymakers to justify decisions and remain accountable to citizens.
• Strengthens Scientific Rigor: Debate enables scientific scrutiny of environmental claims, ensuring that policy changes are based on credible evidenceand expert consultation.
• Safeguards Public Health and Democratic Rights: Inclusive discussions protect public health and uphold democratic values by allowing citizens to voice concerns over pollution-related policies.

Way forward: 

• Revise FGD Policy Through Transparent Public Consultation: Any change in environmental regulation, especially exemptions, must involve scientific review, public debate, and stakeholder consultations to ensure credibility and protect public health.
• Strengthen Pollution Monitoring and Accountability: Enhance the real-time SO₂ monitoring network, enforce uniform emission standards, and link compliance with financial or operational incentives to promote cleaner technologies across all power plants.

Mains PYQ:

[UPSC 2024] Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard.

Linkage: The article talks about the Environment Ministry’s decision to exempt most coal-fired plants from mandatory Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems, which is a significant government initiative related to an environmental issue (sulphur dioxide emissions) and its mitigation. This is a direct and comprehensive question about environmental issues and the government’s initiatives and mitigation measures.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now