Low Installation Rate Of FGD LEads To More Air Pollution: Report

Only 5 per cent of coal-fired power plants have installed Flue-Gas De-Sulphurisation (FGD) system, says a report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Desulphurisation is a process to eliminate the sulphur dioxide from exhaust flue gases by using a set of technology. Unfortunately, the status report released by CSE shows that very less of Indian coal power plants are using the technology to remove the sulphur dioxide from flue gas that is contributing to the deterioration of the air.  

The gloomy and smoggy mornings of Delhi-NCR in post-Diwali days have become regular happenings every year, masked faces and bad respiratory health has involved in the dwellers’ lifestyles.

This recent analysis has also claimed that the region of Delhi -NCR are occupied by a population of more than 1 million which is also 11 per cent of the critically polluted area. 

The region has industries, factories and plants which emit pollution more than its boundaries. The analysis also focuses on compliance with emissions regulations. 

According to the analysis, installing FGD is a time-consuming process that takes nearly two years. The pace of air degradation in these areas calls for urgent policy and effective steps in a certain direction. 

The report also marks the reason for the slow installation of FGD in the coal power plants. The dependency on the external market for FGD components, the unawareness of the technology in the Indian market, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to delays in the implementation of FGD in coal power plants.