NITI Aayog urges power plants to halt sulphur reduction equipment installation

28 Oct 2024 CW Team

Air pollution levels in India rank among the highest globally, posing significant threats to public health and the economy. In response to this crisis, the government mandated coal-fired power stations to adhere to stricter emissions regulations or face potential closure, initially setting a 2017 deadline for the installation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) units. However, this deadline has since been extended to 2026.

The document indicated that NITI Aayog recommended that the federal environment and power ministries instruct coal-based power plants to cease placing new orders for desulfurization equipment. Should this proposal be implemented, it could halt tenders worth 960 billion rupees (approximately $11.42 billion) for sulphur-reducing equipment across 80,000 megawatts of coal-fired capacity.

Environmental advocates support stringent emissions reduction regulations for coal-fired power stations, noting that these facilities are responsible for around 80% of industrial sulphur and nitrous oxide emissions in India, which contribute to lung diseases and acid rain.

The document from NITI Aayog references a government study claiming that the data does not indicate that sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from India's coal-based power plants are negatively affecting air quality. This assertion contradicts the conclusions of several studies conducted by international organizations and advocacy groups.

A 2019 report from Greenpeace identified India as the largest emitter of sulphur dioxide (SO2) worldwide, primarily due to emissions from coal-fired power plants.

India's top policy think tank has proposed suspending the installation of equipment designed to reduce sulfur emissions at coal-fired power plants, according to a document reviewed by Reuters. This proposal has reignited discussions about the country's commitment to improving air quality. Air pollution levels in India rank among the highest globally, posing significant threats to public health and the economy. In response to this crisis, the government mandated coal-fired power stations to adhere to stricter emissions regulations or face potential closure, initially setting a 2017 deadline for the installation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) units. However, this deadline has since been extended to 2026. The document indicated that NITI Aayog recommended that the federal environment and power ministries instruct coal-based power plants to cease placing new orders for desulfurization equipment. Should this proposal be implemented, it could halt tenders worth 960 billion rupees (approximately $11.42 billion) for sulphur-reducing equipment across 80,000 megawatts of coal-fired capacity. Environmental advocates support stringent emissions reduction regulations for coal-fired power stations, noting that these facilities are responsible for around 80% of industrial sulphur and nitrous oxide emissions in India, which contribute to lung diseases and acid rain. The document from NITI Aayog references a government study claiming that the data does not indicate that sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from India's coal-based power plants are negatively affecting air quality. This assertion contradicts the conclusions of several studies conducted by international organizations and advocacy groups. A 2019 report from Greenpeace identified India as the largest emitter of sulphur dioxide (SO2) worldwide, primarily due to emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Tunnelling Begins for Thane–Borivali twin tunnel project

Tunnelling work has commenced for the 11.84-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel, set to be India’s longest urban road tunnel, marking a key milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructure development.As per a post shared by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority on social media platform X, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Nayak’—the country’s largest single-shield hard rock TBM for an urban tunnel—was launched by Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The event was attended by Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, among other dignitaries. A second TBM, ‘Arjuna’, is expected to be launched so..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..