Air pollution: SC nixes Delhi govt's plea seeking closure of power plants in Punjab, Haryana, UP

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday turned down a plea filed by the Delhi government against the Centre, seeking directions for closing 10 thermal power plants in neighbouring Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, alleging it was causing air pollution in the national capital.

A bench of Justices Navin Sinha and R Subhash Reddy rejected the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) of the Delhi government, saying, "We find it very amusing that a state has come in with a PIL against the Union of India."

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing on behalf of the Delhi Government submitted that there are around 13 power plants in a radius of 300 kilometres, which bring particulate matter, a major contributor for SO2 and other deadly gases.

Air pollution in Delhi is increasing due to these power plants, he submitted.

In the PIL, the Delhi government also sought a direction to the Centre to install Fuel Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) device in 10 thermal power plants in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh as in absence of the device, the power plants contribute majorly to pollute the air in the national capital.

In response, the bench said the Centre made a statement before the court and now they are deviating, saying the Delhi government can intervene in the same case where the Centre reportedly gave an undertaking that it will install FGDs.

Accordingly, the counsel withdrew the PIL. (UNI)