23 thermal plants not complying with emission norms

NEW DELHI: At least 23 thermal power plants in the country are not complying with the emission norms prescribed by the State Pollution Control Boards, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"Of these 23 plants, five are in Maharashtra, three each in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and two each in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Gujarat," Jairam Ramesh, Environment Minister said in reply to a written question.

All the defaulting states have been asked to take measures in a time-bound manner to ensure compliance of environmental standards, he said adding that they have been also asked to submit bank guarantee to their concerned SPCB.

Regarding the total fly ash generation by the power plants in the country, he said that it is estimated to be 112.29 million tonnes per annum (MTA) out of which 58.37 MTA is utilized and rest is disposed into ponds.

The minister said so far no study has been conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to measure the impact of these plants on the environment and human health.