The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by the Delhi government, seeking a direction to the Centre to install Fuel Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) device in 10 thermal power plants of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, complaining that in absence of the device, the power plants contribute majorly to pollute air in Delhi.
The petition, to be taken up by the bench of Justices Navin Sinha and R S Reddy, further seeks quashing and setting aside of an order passed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to nine thermal power plants, extending the deadline for installation of FGD.
The plea also sought quashing and setting aside of an order passed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC), amending and extending the timelines for complying with the emission norms by coal-based power plants.
Further, it sought directions to the Power Plant Operators and Regulatory authorities – the State Pollution Control Boards and the CPCB to provide Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Data (OCEMS) in public domain on their respective website.