**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 115 regarding emissions from thermal power plants (TPPs) in the National Capital Region, answered on January 29, 2026. The question sought information on the impact of TPP emissions on Delhi's air pollution, exemptions granted for installing pollution control equipment, concerns about high emissions, and measures to enforce compliance with emission norms. The document details the categorization of TPPs for emission standards compliance and associated timelines, with deadlines for compliance or retirement extending to December 31, 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Assessment of TPP Emissions on Delhi's Air Pollution:**
* There are 11 coal-based TPPs (35 units, 13,555 MW) within 300 km of the Delhi-NCR region.
* A 2018 study estimated that power plants contributed 6% and 5% to PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Delhi during winter 2016, respectively, and 7% during summer 2016. The Badarpur Thermal Power Plant, operational during the study, has since been shut down in October 2018.
* **Emission Standards and Categorization of TPPs:**
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified emission standards for coal/lignite-based TPPs on December 7, 2015.
* A subsequent notification on March 31, 2021, categorized TPPs based on location for compliance with emission standards:
* Category A: Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region or cities having million plus population.
* Category B: Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities.
* Category C: Other than those included in categories A and B.
* The SO2 emission standards from the Dec 7, 2015 notification were reviewed, considering factors such as technology availability, techno-economic feasibility, COVID-19 impact, price escalation, and SO2 concentrations.
* MoEF&CC issued a Notification dated July 11, 2025, specifying applicability and compliance timelines for SO2 emission standards:
* Category A: Mandatory compliance by December 31, 2027, with retirement of non-compliant units by December 31, 2030.
* Category B: Compliance to be decided on a case-to-case basis, based on Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects) recommendations. If exemption is given, stack height requirements must be met. Compliance by December 31, 2028.
* Category C: Not applicable subject to meeting stack height requirements. Compliance by December 31, 2029.
* **Enforcement and Penalties:**
* TPPs are regulated under the Water Act (1974) and Air Act (1981) by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), with penal provisions for non-compliance.
* Environmental compensation is levied for non-compliance beyond the timelines:
* 0-180 days: Rs. 0.20 per unit electricity generated.
* 181-365 days: Rs. 0.30 per unit electricity generated.
* 366 days and beyond: Rs. 0.40 per unit electricity generated.
* **Categorization of TPP Units within 300 km of Delhi-NCR:**
* 14 units (5,350 MW) fall under Category A.
* 21 units (8,205 MW) fall under Category C.
* Details of Delhi-NCR plants along with SO2 compliance status are provided in the Annexure.
**Impact Analysis**
**Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in Delhi-NCR Region**
* **Impact:** TPPs are impacted by the emission standards, timelines for compliance, and potential penalties for non-compliance. TPPs need to determine the category to which they belong and the associated compliance requirements.
* **Action Required:** TPPs need to assess their compliance status against the specified emission standards, develop a plan to meet the standards within the stipulated timelines, and prepare for potential environmental compensation in case of non-compliance.
**State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)**
* **Impact:** SPCBs are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the emission standards for TPPs within their jurisdiction.
* **Action Required:** SPCBs must ensure that TPPs comply with the emission standards and take appropriate action against non-compliant units, including levying environmental compensation as specified.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)**
* **Impact:** MoEF&CC is the primary regulatory authority for environmental standards and is responsible for issuing notifications and guidelines related to emission standards.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that the notification dated July 11, 2025 is implemented by the TPPs.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:** Consumers might be impacted by electricity price increases.
* **Action Required:** No action is required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC): The primary regulator that notified emission standards for thermal power plants and granted exemptions.
Thermal Power Plants (TPPs): Coal or lignite based plants, the main subject of the document, regulated for emissions.
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD): Pollution control technology being installed in thermal power plants
Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act, 1974: Legislation under which Thermal Power Plants are granted consent to establish and operate.
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Legislation under which Thermal Power Plants are granted consent to establish and operate.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.115
ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
EMISSIONS FROM THERMAL POWER PLANTS IN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
115. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the extent to which emissions from
thermal power plants in neighbouring States contribute to Delhi’s air pollution and if
so, the details and findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has granted exemptions (in addition to extensions) to
multiple coal-based power plants from installing pollution control equipment such as
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems and if so, the details thereof including the
number and details of such exempted units;
(c) whether the Government recognizes that such exemptions could lead to
persistently high emissions in neighbouring regions and thus displace pollution burden
and if so, the measures taken in this regard; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Ministry to enforce strict compliance with emission
norms, ensure operational pollution control systems and prevent transfer of pollution
burden from one State to another to create tangible impact?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) : There is a total of 11 coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) with 35 units
(13,555 MW) located within 300 km of Delhi-NCR region [i.e States of; Haryana- 05 TPPs
(12 units), Punjab- 04 TPPs (13 units) and Uttar Pradesh-02 TPPs (10 units)].
As per The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)-Automotive Research
Association of India (ARAI) Source Apportionment study (2018), the contribution of
Power Plants to PM and PM levels in Delhi during winter 2016 was assessed at 6%
2.5 10
and 5% respectively, while during summer 2016, the contribution was 7%. However,
the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant was operational during the study period, which has
been permanently shut down since October, 2018.
(b) to (c) : The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
notified emission standards [including Sulphur Dioxide (SO )] for coal / lignite based
2
Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. Further, MoEF&CC
vide Notification dated 31.03.2021 prescribed for categorization of TPPs into the
following three categories for compliance of the emission standards:
………2- 2 -
Category A: Within 10 km radius of National Capital Region or cities having million plus
population;
Category B: Within 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities;
Category C: Other than those included in category A and B
The SO emission standards prescribed in MoEF&CC Notification dated 07.12.2015
2
have been reviewed by the Central Government taking into consideration the various
representations received regarding exemption or relaxation in timelines of these
standards due to limited availability of technology providers, its techno-economic
feasibility, negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain, price escalation due
to high demand and low supplies, low SO concentration in ambient air and heavy
2
burden on consumers due to increase in electricity price etc.
Besides, the scientific studies conducted by independent research institutions
regarding effectiveness & rationale behind these standards and its role in overall
ambient air pollution of the region were also considered to evaluate the need of
universal applicability and enforcement of these standards.
Based on the above, MoEF&CC issued a Notification dated 11.07.2025 specifying
the applicability and compliance timelines of SO₂ emission standards, as detailed
below:
Category Applicability of SO emission Timelines for Last date for
2
standards Compliance retirement of
(Non- retiring units for
units) exemption
from
compliance
Category A Mandatory 31.12.2027 31.12.2030
Category B To be decided on a case-to-case 31.12.2028
basis by the Central Government
based upon the recommendations of
the Expert Appraisal Committee
(Thermal Projects).
In case any TPP is considered for
exemption from SO2 emission
standards, such TPP shall ensure
meeting of stack height as per
notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated
30.08.1990.
Category C Not applicable subject to condition of 31.12.2029
meeting stack height as per
notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated
30.08.1990.
………3.- 3 -
The category wise applicability of SO emission standards in TPPs have been
2
decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO
2
concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs. This approach applies
the precautionary principle for controlling and abating air pollution in densely
populated and other air pollution sensitive areas, while also emphasizing on resource
conservation by avoiding additional consumption of water, auxiliary power, and
limestone, and avoiding the increase in carbon footprint/CO emissions resulting from
2
the operation of deployed control measures, as well as mining and transportation of
limestone required for these measures.
Out of the 11 TPPs (35 units) located within 300 km of Delhi-NCR region, 14 units
(5,350 MW) fall under Category-A, while the remaining 21 units (8,205 MW) fall under
Category-C. The details of these Delhi-NCR plants along with SO compliance status is
2
given at Annexure.
(d) : The Thermal Power Plants are regulated through grant of Consent to Establish
and/or Consent to Operate under the Water (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act,
1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 by concerned State
Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). These Acts also include penal provisions for non-
compliance of environmental standards.
Moreover, in case of non-compliance beyond the prescribed timelines, the
following Environmental Compensation can also be levied on non-compliant TPPs:
Non-Compliant operation beyond the Environmental Compensations (Rs. per
Timeline unit electricity generated)
0-180 days 0.20
181-365 days 0.30
366 days and beyond 0.40
********ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.
115 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 29.01.2026
*************
Details of Delhi NCR units along with SO compliance status
2
Sl. State Sector Organisation Name of Project Category Unit Total Date of FGD
No. No. Capacity Commissioning Installation
(MW) Status
1 Haryana Central NTPC INDIRA GANDHI STPP A 1 500 31-10-2010 FGD
installed
2 Haryana Central NTPC INDIRA GANDHI STPP A 2 500 05-11-2011 FGD
installed
3 Haryana Central NTPC INDIRA GANDHI STPP A 3 500 07-11-2012 FGD
installed
4 Haryana Private JhPL(HR) MAHATMA GANDHI A 1 660 12-01-2012 FGD
TPS installed
5 Haryana Private JhPL(HR) MAHATMA GANDHI A 2 660 11-04-2012 FGD
TPS installed
6 Haryana State HPGCL PANIPAT TPS A 6 210 31-03-2001 Bid opened
7 Haryana State HPGCL PANIPAT TPS A 7 250 28-09-2004 Bid opened
8 Haryana State HPGCL PANIPAT TPS A 8 250 28-01-2005 Bid opened
9 Haryana State HPGCL RAJIV GANDHI TPS C 1 600 31-03-2010
10 Haryana State HPGCL RAJIV GANDHI TPS C 2 600 01-10-2010
11 Haryana State HPGCL YAMUNA NAGAR TPS C 1 300 01-11-2007
12 Haryana State HPGCL YAMUNA NAGAR TPS C 2 300 29-03-2008 Category C
13* Punjab Private NPL RAJPURA TPP C 1 700 24-01-2014 units are
14* Punjab Private NPL RAJPURA TPP C 2 700 06-07-2014 exempted
15 Punjab Private TSPL TALWANDI SABO TPP C 1 660 17-06-2014 vide
MoEF&CC
16 Punjab Private TSPL TALWANDI SABO TPP C 2 660 25-10-2015
Notification
17 Punjab Private TSPL TALWANDI SABO TPP C 3 660 29-03-2016
dated
18 Punjab State PSPCL GH TPS (LEH.MOH.) C 1 210 29-12-1997
11.07.2025
19 Punjab State PSPCL GH TPS (LEH.MOH.) C 2 210 16-10-1998
20 Punjab State PSPCL GH TPS (LEH.MOH.) C 3 250 03-01-2008
21 Punjab State PSPCL GH TPS (LEH.MOH.) C 4 250 31-07-2008
22 Punjab State PSPCL ROPAR TPS C 3 210 31-03-1988
23 Punjab State PSPCL ROPAR TPS C 4 210 29-01-1989
24 Punjab State PSPCL ROPAR TPS C 5 210 29-03-1992
25 Punjab State PSPCL ROPAR TPS C 6 210 30-03-1993
26 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 1 210 21-12-1991 FGD
Pradesh installed
27 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 2 210 18-12-1992 FGD
Pradesh installed
28 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 3 210 23-03-1993 FGD
Pradesh installed
29 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 4 210 24-03-1994 FGD
Pradesh installed
30 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 5 490 25-01-2010 FGD
Pradesh installed
31 Uttar Central NTPC DADRI (NCTPP) A 6 490 16-07-2010 FGD
Pradesh installed
32 Uttar State UPRVUNL HARDUAGANJ TPS C 7 105 31-03-1978 Category C
Pradesh units are
33 Uttar State UPRVUNL HARDUAGANJ TPS C 8 250 27-09-2011 exempted
Pradesh vide
34 Uttar State UPRVUNL HARDUAGANJ TPS C 9 250 25-05-2012 MoEF&CC
Pradesh Notification
dated
11.07.2025
35 Uttar State UPRVUNL HARDUAGANJ TPS C 10 660 29-01-2022 FGD
Pradesh installed
* Installation of FGDs in Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 (2x700 MW) of Rajpura TPP, NPL have been completed and the FGD systems
are “Ready for Testing and commissioning” since July 2023 and January 2024 respectively. However, the matter is sub-
judice in Hon’ble Supreme Court.
*************