SC Refuses To Hear Plea Against Thermal Plants Set Up In Neighbouring States

PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION

• The Delhi Government filed a PIL before the Supreme Court against the Centre seeking closure of 10 thermal power plants located in Punjab, Haryana, UP that contribute to air pollution in Delhi significantly.
• The PIL also sought the issuance of directions from the Court to the Centre to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) device in the power plants to control the emission of sulphur dioxide in the air.
• The plea also prayed for quashing the order of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that extends the period of installation of the FGD device from 2022 to 2024.

SUBMISSIONS

• Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves appearing on behalf of the Delhi Government informed the Court that gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide harm the air and 80% of sulphur is emitted from the mentioned thermal plants.
• He also informed the Court that a report by IIT Kanpur has shown that Delhi’s pollution levels are very high and they need to be controlled immediately.

ORDER

• The Supreme Court, in its order, refused to entertain the plea seeking closure of the power plants and asked the counsel to withdraw the plea.
• The Bench comprising Justice Navin Sinha and Justice Subhash Reddy informed the Delhi Government that they have the liberty to intervene in the ongoing case, where the Court is considering the case related to air pollution in the capital.

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