A Breach of Environmental Commitment
In a surprising and controversial decision, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has exempted the majority of the country’s coal-fired thermal power plants from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems, a critical technology to control sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions. This move effectively overturns the ministry’s own 2015 mandate, which required all coal plants to adopt FGD systems by 2017 to reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality. ETInfra.com
As of 2025, out of around 600 power-generating units across 180 thermal power plants, only about 8% have actually installed FGD systems, most of which belong to the public sector giant NTPC. The rollback of the mandate has raised serious concerns among environmentalists, public health experts, and clean energy advocates.
This blog explores why the exemption matters, what FGD technology does, how this decision could impact public health and the environment, and what alternatives India has to avoid spiraling into an air quality and climate crisis.
What Is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)?
Flue Gas Desulphurisation is a pollution control technology used in thermal power plants to remove sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust flue gases before they are released into the atmosphere. SO₂ is produced when coal is burned, especially high-sulphur Indian coal used in most power stations.
There are different FGD technologies—wet, dry, and semi-dry—with wet limestone scrubbers being the most commonly used. The scrubbers react with SO₂ to form gypsum or calcium sulphate, which can be safely disposed of or reused in the cement industry.
Why It Matters
SO₂ is a toxic gas that contributes to:
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Respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis
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Formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
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Acid rain, which damages crops, forests, and freshwater bodies
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Soil degradation and reduced agricultural productivity
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and WHO guidelines, prolonged exposure to SO₂ is dangerous even at relatively low concentrations.
Background: The 2015 FGD Mandate
In December 2015, the MoEFCC issued stringent norms requiring all thermal power plants to install FGDs within two years—i.e., by 2017. The goal was to cut:
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SO₂ emissions by 48%
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NOx emissions by 30%
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PM emissions by 40%
However, implementation lagged severely. Power producers—especially private operators—cited:
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High capital costs (₹5–6 crore per MW)
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Lack of FGD manufacturing capacity in India
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Low tariffs that don’t factor in environmental compliance
As a result, by 2025, only around 8% of units have FGDs. Even more worrying is that most of the compliance has come from public-sector firms, such as NTPC, while private players lag far behind.
The 2025 Rollback: A Step Backward
The government’s latest decision now exempts most coal-fired units from mandatory FGD installation. The justification includes:
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Low sulphur content in domestic coal
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Progress in other emissions control areas
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Need to avoid energy cost inflation
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Priority to energy security amid growing demand
But critics argue this decision:
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Undermines environmental rule of law
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Normalizes non-compliance
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Sacrifices public health for short-term gains
According to a 2023 CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) report, even Indian coal with “low sulphur” (0.3–0.6%) emits significant SO₂ when burned at large volumes. Moreover, most Indian cities already fail to meet national air quality standards, especially in coal belt states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
Public Health Consequences: A Silent Emergency
Air pollution is already India’s largest environmental health threat. According to The Lancet’s 2020 India Report:
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Over 1.6 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution.
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SO₂ and PM2.5 exposure leads to reduced lung capacity, heart disease, and premature births.
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Economic cost of air pollution = ₹7 lakh crore per year (approx. 3% of GDP)
FGD Rollback = More Illness
Without FGDs:
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SO₂ emissions will rise significantly in coal-rich states.
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Rural populations around power plants—already under-monitored—will face worsened health outcomes.
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Cities downwind from coal plants (like Delhi, Kanpur, Raipur) will see spikes in PM2.5 during winters.
Environmental Fallout: Acid Rain and Soil Damage
SO₂ doesn’t just stay in the air—it reacts with water vapor to form sulphuric acid, leading to acid rain. This affects:
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Soil fertility by lowering pH
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Water bodies, endangering aquatic life
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Crops and forests, reducing yields and biodiversity
In India’s central and eastern states—already grappling with climate variability and erratic monsoons—this adds a new layer of environmental vulnerability.
Why Compliance Fails: Structural Issues in the Power Sector
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Tariff Inflexibility
Most coal power contracts signed under competitive bidding do not account for retrofitting costs, leaving producers with no incentive to invest in FGDs. -
Private vs Public Players
While NTPC has made efforts to comply, private firms have delayed or avoided tenders, banking on government leniency—which now seems justified. -
Weak Enforcement
Neither the CPCB nor State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have aggressively penalized non-compliance. The message: non-compliance has no cost.
Is There a Way Forward? Alternatives and Solutions
The rollback should not be seen as final or irreversible. Here’s what a balanced path could look like:
1. Phased, Targeted Implementation
Focus on high-impact zones—install FGDs in plants within or near major population centers and industrial clusters.
2. Cost Recovery Mechanism
Allow power producers to recover FGD costs through regulated tariff increases, especially for older units still under PPA (Power Purchase Agreements).
3. Public-Private FGD Funds
Create a national green infrastructure fund to co-finance FGD retrofitting, particularly for smaller and older private units.
4. Push for Renewables
The bigger long-term solution lies in accelerating renewable energy deployment, cutting dependency on coal, and retiring aging plants.
Conclusion: Policy Drift in a Time of Crisis
The Environment Ministry’s 2025 decision to exempt most coal-fired power plants from installing FGDs marks a dangerous precedent in India’s environmental governance. While economic and energy concerns are real, sacrificing public health and environmental commitments cannot be the cost of development.
India cannot afford to slide back into policy paralysis just as the world accelerates toward cleaner energy. We must ask: if the government’s own mandates are optional, what then protects citizens from toxic air? As air becomes harder to breathe and lives continue to be lost silently, the rollback on FGD isn't just technical—it’s a rollback on the right to clean air.
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