Pollution: SC turns down Delhi Government's plea to shut down power plants in Punjab, Haryana, UP

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 9

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by the Delhi government seeking closure of 10 thermal power plants in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on the ground that they caused air pollution in the national capital.

“It’s amusing that NCT of Delhi is coming up with a PIL against the Centre. We have got many questions to ask…It’s better you withdraw it,” a Bench led by Justice Navin Sinha told senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, representing the Delhi Government.

It said if the Delhi Government wanted it can file an intervention application in the air pollution matter pending before the court.

The Delhi government had urged the court to quash a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) order extending the deadline for installation of the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)  thermal power plants. It also wanted the top court to direct the Centre to install FGD devices in 10 thermal power plants in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh contending that these power plants contributed to air pollution in Delhi.

“There are 30 power plants in a radius of 300 kilometres which bring particulate matter, major contributors for SO2 and other deadlier matters…These plants should be closed until they install FGD devices, Gonsalves submitted.

However, the court wasn’t convinced.