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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Environment ministry justifies tweak in sulphur dioxide emission norms for TPPs, calling it a pragmatic shift
Environment ministry justifies tweak in sulphur dioxide emission norms for TPPs. NEW DELHI: Three days after exempting majority of the coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants (TPPs) in India from installing key anti-pollution equipment that could have helped them meet the sulphur dioxide standards, the Union environment ministry on Monday sought to justify its move saying the current exposure levels provide no credible evidence to suggest that SO₂, under prevailing ambient conditions, is a major public health concern. It said any revision to SO2 standards must be driven by its actual contribution to PM2.5 levels and its corresponding health burden. Flagging a detailed study carried out by IIT Delhi, the ministry said the analysis shows that sulfate contributes only 0.96% to 5.21% of PM2.5 and 0.57% to 3.67% of PM10 in cities near TPPs (Thermal Power Plants). 'The norms of SO2 emissions from TPPs, notified on July 11, is based on extensive consultations with stakeholders and research institutions regarding the effectiveness and rationale behind stack emission standards for SO2 on 537 TPPs throughout the country, and its role in overall ambient air pollution of the region,' said the ministry in a statement. It said the ministry's decision represents a rational, evidence-based recalibration anchored in current ambient air quality data, sectoral emission trends, and broader sustainability imperatives. "The revised SO2 emission policy is not a rollback of environmental safeguards, but a pragmatic, scientifically justified shift towards more targeted, cost-effective, and climate-coherent regulation," it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The ministry on July 11 issued a revised notification on installing anti-pollution flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems and introduced a new compliance framework based on categories exemptions. The FGD is a process of removing sulphur compounds from the exhaust emissions of fossil-fueled power stations. The notification mandates control of SO2 emissions from TPPs in all Category A TPPs located within 10 km of the Delhi-NCR or cities with million-plus population. So far, 17 FGDs have been installed in such cities. Exemptions are, however, meant for TPPs located within 10 km of Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) or Non-Attainment Cities (Category B). It will be the government's discretion to decide exemption of such plants. The remaining TPPs in the rest of the cities, which fall under Category C (make up the bulk of India's TPPs), will be fully exempted from installing the FGDs provided they meet the prescribed stack height criteria by December 31, 2029. Justifying the exemptions, the ministry said it was based on detailed scientific studies which were carried out by premier institutions such as IIT Delhi, National Institute of Advanced Studies as well as by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) besides scientific examination by Central Pollution Control Board. Claiming that the ministry remains fully committed to a comprehensive, science-based air quality management strategy that integrates both mitigation and co-benefit pathways, it said its latest move reflects declining ambient SO2 levels, recognizes the limited role of SO2 in driving PM2.5 health impacts, and "weighs the disproportionate resource and environmental costs of indiscriminate FGD mandates".
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PM Modi to inaugurate, lay foundation of key infra projects in Kanpur on Friday
LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kanpur to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth several thousand crores on Friday. A key highlight of PM's Kanpur visit will be the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for five units of Khurja, Obra, and Jawaharpur Thermal Power Plants. All the power projects will significantly spruce up the power infrastructure in the state. The PM is expected to address a public rally at Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSA) ground. In preparation for the Prime Minister's visit, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an on-site inspection, on Wednesday, and reviewed the venue's readiness with senior officials. Another highlight of PM's visit will be inauguration of a crucial section of Kanpur Metro Rail Project. The newly-completed stretch from Chunniganj Metro Station to Kanpur Central Metro Station, constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,120 crore, comprises 14 planned stations including five newly-built underground stations.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Vizag scientists find ‘positive features' of irradiation on quartz crystals
The impact of radiation on concrete structures in nuclear power plants (NPPs) is causing frequent repairs, requiring rehabilitation of structures. The University of Tokyo published a paper on the impact of irradiation on concrete structures, by which the crystalline quartz, in aged concrete, is converted into amorphous state. This is the negative aspect, affecting the soundness and durability of concrete. However, N. Bhanumathidas and N. Kalidas, founder directors of the Visakhapatnam-based Institute for Solid Waste Research & Ecological Balance (INSWAREB), during the course of their review on the subject, found certain 'positive features of irradiation on quartz crystals' which convert the non-reactive crystalline quartz to reactive amorphous silica. They interacted with the Scientists of University of Tokyo, and prepared a review report for the benefit of students, researchers and faculty. 'This opens up enormous opportunities for the cement-concrete industry,' say Dr. Bhanumathidas and Mr. Kalidas, who are involved in research on fly ash bricks and had developed fly ash, lime and gypsum (FAL-G) bricks as an alternative to clay bricks to reduce the threat of massive generation of fly ash by Thermal Power Plants (TPPs). Commercial scope The couple found during their review of the research findings that conversion of quartz from crystalline (unreactive) to amorphous (reactive) state through radiation is the redeeming feature to benefit the cement and concrete industry with value addition of multibillion rupees, in addition to serving sustainable development goals. 'The crystalline quartz can be converted at commercial scale into amorphous silica by designing suitable reactors. If its reactivity is studied and established, such product can be used as complementary cement input to improve the quality. This will be more helpful where low grade limestone hampers the quality of clinker,' says Mr. Kalidas. 'By processing high-pure quartz, amorphous silica can be produced that may be akin to 'silica fume' whereby the value addition to cement and concrete could be potentially enhanced. By subjecting the coarse fly ash and pond ash to radiation in commercial reactors, the crystalline fly ash can be converted to amorphous ash to the extent of quartz content, rendering value addition to the inert ash. With over 2,860 million tons of ash in ash ponds occupying about 65,000 acres of land in India, this may prove the most sustainable avenue for exploitation in many aspects. The economic spin off is about ₹2.86 trillion in value addition of the product and ₹650 billion in reclaiming the land occupied by ash ponds,' he says. 'The NTPC has expressed its readiness to take up this project on a large scale once it is brought to a logical stage of implementation. Meanwhile, efforts are in progress to escalate the subject to the attention of the Prime Minister due to the criticalities associated with implementation of this project,' Mr. Kalidas told The Hindu. 'Ippei Maruyama of the UoT has also expressed willingness to partner in the research by INSWAREB, if the Government of Japan approves and funds it. He, however, wanted the Indian researchers to take care of activation by neutron, safety of material, and the running cost of the nuclear plant for the research,' he adds.
