Latest news with #NationalEnvironmentalEngineeringResearchInstitute
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Govt eases exhaust gas rules for thermal power plants, may lower power prices
New Delhi: The government has relaxed the universal implementation of the flue-gas desulphurization (FGD) systems at coal-based power plants across the country, in a move that is likely to lower electricity prices. A 12 July notification from the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) said thermal power plants outside a 10km radius of cities with a population of 1 million people or more will be excluded from the requirement to install the system. Flue gas is a residue from thermal power plants, emits sulphur dioxide (SO2), which can mix in the atmosphere and create secondary particulate matter, an air pollutant. While plants in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other cities with at least 1 million population will have to comply with the norm, for those within 10km radius of critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities, the need for FGD installation will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Centre based on recommendations of the expert appraisal committee in charge of thermal power projects. 'The sulphur dioxide emission standards shall not be applicable to all Category C thermal power plants subject to ensuring compliance of stack height criteria notified vide notification number GSR 742 (E), dated the 30th August, 1990,' said the notification referring to the plants outside the radius of 10km of cities with 1 million population. These plants, which are exempted from the requirement to install FGD systems, account for nearly 79% of the overall 180 operational power plants in the country. Plants within a 10km radius of the NCR or cities with a population of 1 million initially had to install FGD systems by 2017 but have been given multiple extensions. Now, they need to comply by 2027-end. A report by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, in December said the ambient SO2 concentration in all the monitoring stations (CAAQMS) is well below the prescribed norms of 80 micrograms per cubic meter. It noted that installation of FGDs in thermal power plants leads to higher capital investment, increased power consumption, increased consumer tariff and a higher water and carbon footprint without environmental benefits. 'There is a need to revisit the stack emission norms for SO2 as per the circular of MoEF&CC, 2015, with consideration of India's latitudinal position, close to the equator compared to European countries, the USA, the UK, developed countries who have given guidelines for SO2 emission control. India has higher and stronger solar insolation, leading to high ground-level heating, vertical convection, high mixing height, high ventilation, etc.,' the report said. According to the report, the sulphur content of coal of other countries is much higher compared to Indian coal. In case of Indian coal, the sulphur content is less than 0.5%. On the cost implication of implementing FGD systems, the report said that the current cost of FGD systems is around ₹ 1.40 crore per megawatt. Citing data from the Central Electricity Authority, it said around ₹ 1.47 trillion capital investment would be required for the installation of the remaining 105GW coal-based power plants.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rain & polls near, Ambazari hyacinth removal gets push
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has resumed a massive drive to remove water hyacinth which has swamped nearly one-thirds of the Ambazar lake as part of its flood-prevention measure and have deployed poclain machines and other equipment. With the civic elections scheduled to be held later this year, flooding could become a major poll issue, especially when memories of the September 23, 2023, floods are still fresh. In case there is a repeat of 9/23 disaster and city areas get inundated, it will hand down a potential ammunition to those aspiring to contest the impending NMC polls to go ballistic against the civic administration and the BJP-ruled state govt. The citizens affected by the 9/23 flood are already unhappy with the slow pace of works like construction of retaining wall along the Nag River. While the officials say the renewed efforts to remove the hyacinth are part of its pre-monsoon preparedness, there could be a political push too to get the drive completed before peak monsoon, said sources. Officials say the thick growth of hyacinth at the overflow point hindered the smooth discharge of water into downstream drains and the Nag River, leading to backflow and urban flooding, especially during the last monsoon. While the NMC has been periodically removing the weed, experts say the root cause needs long-term scientific intervention. The civic body also sought assistance from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) to study and control the hyacinth problem. According to officials, water hyacinth — commonly mistaken for water lilies — covered nearly one-third of Ambazari Lake just a few days ago. However, with intensified efforts, tonnes of the invasive aquatic plant are now being extracted daily. The floating mats of hyacinth became a major concern, especially after recent rains, when they were seen drifting into the Nag River and clogging the flow of stormwater. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Another fire despite 1.8 cr fine & NEERI probe on BMC
Bhopal: Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing ongoing challenges with managing waste at the Adampur Landfill landfill site, a relocated site for waste from Bhanpur Landfill. A significant amount of waste, estimated at eight lakh metric tons, was moved to Adampur landfill during the scientific closure of Bhanpur landfill. The accumulated waste at the Adampur Landfill site has repeatedly caught fire. These fires pose a significant problem for the BMC, hindering proper waste disposal and leading to environmental concerns . The unmanaged waste is believed to be contaminating both groundwater and air quality in the surrounding area. The repeated fires have resulted in a penalty of Rs 1.80 crores imposed on the BMC. Furthermore, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to investigate the recurring incidents. Disposal of this garbage is not only the biggest challenge for the BMC but also the biggest headache. Cleanliness Team Focuses on Landfill Amidst Garbage Free City Survey According to reports, a team from Delhi is currently conducting a cleanliness survey to assess the Bhopal Municipal Corporation's claim of being a "Garbage Free City (GFC)." This assessment coincides with a fire at the Adampur Landfill site, adding to the corporation's challenges. BMC is reportedly attempting to minimize the survey team's awareness of the fire. However, this may prove difficult as the team is monitoring corporation-related news from various sources, including morning newspapers, electronic media, and digital platforms. The survey focuses on verifying the GFC claim. Adampur Landfill Fire Sparks Controversy As Activists Refute Reports A fire at the Adampur landfill site is raising concerns about its cause and management. While methane gas emitted from the garbage is often cited as the reason, environmental activists dispute this explanation. Activist Nitin Saxena claims the BMC has not properly disposed of garbage moved from Bhanpur to Adampur Landfill. He alleges the garbage is repeatedly burned to benefit the company contracted for disposal. Saxena states that the corporation believes "fire can dispose of garbage as fast as machines cannot, so fire is set again and again." The fire rapidly spread, engulfing half the pit in approximately 30 minutes. The incident has generated discussion on social media, with some questioning whether the temperature alone could have ignited the fire. Waste Dumpsite Fire Requires Extensive Response A significant fire in a garbage pit in Adampur Landfill prompted a widespread response from the fire brigade. All but one fire engine from every fire station in the city were dispatched to the scene, according to reports. According to BMC Fire Officer Saurabh Patel, the fire is now under control. However, strong winds are causing the fire to flare up intermittently, and smoke continues to emanate from the pit, spreading to nearby areas.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Assess glass industry impact on Taj Mahal: Supreme Court to NEERI
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct an assessment of the nearby glass industries impacting the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh. A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed NEERI to file an affidavit indicating the timeline for the assessment's completion. The top court said all government agencies including the pollution control board should assist NEERI in the exercise. "We want to know the extent of pollution caused by these industries. If we find that these industries are causing pollution, we won't hesitate to order shifting of these units. Some examination has to be made about the extent of pollution," the bench said. The bench then directed the U.P. pollution control board to constitute a team for visiting the industries mentioned in the affidavit filed by the state and examine the aspect of pollution from these industries. "After completing study of five industries, the pollution control board shall submit the interim report so that appropriate directions can be issued," the top court added. The top court had previously deplored the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority on environment protection in and around the Taj Mahal asking it whether the preservation of the iconic monument was a "tamasha" (drama) or a "joke. TTZ is an area of about 10,400 square kilometer spread over the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The apex court has been monitoring development in the area to protect the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal at Agra. The ivory white marble mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
