The government of India introduced strict emission norms for coal based TPPs in Dec 2015 with a deadline to meet the standards by Dec 2017. However, the thermal power plants are yet to start the work on implementing measures to meet these enhanced emission standards and at this pace, the majority of them will miss the deadline and continue to put public health in danger. Unfortunately residents are not aware of the health hazards of SO2 & NO2 emission from the TPP. Their only concern is what is visible in summer months, which is fly ash and it is poisoning the air, water and land in areas close to the power plants. This has also had a negative impact on the health of people living in those areas. Illnesses like heart disease, lung cancer, both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma are increasing.

Korba, Korba district, Chhattisgarh, India, 2017.