Haryana power plant fined ₹31.46 crore for massive PM emissions breach

A power generation facility in Haryana faces a penalty of ₹31.46 crore after authorities confirmed that its particulate matter (PM) emissions were approximately 38.8 times the legally mandated limit. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) validated the breach through stack monitoring records, establishing a clear violation of environmental standards.

The confirmation came in a formal response by the CPCB under India's Right to Information Act on September 18, providing documented evidence of the non-compliance. Stack monitoring data serves as a critical tool for tracking real-time emissions from industrial facilities and ensures adherence to the stringent pollution control norms established for thermal power plants across the country.

This enforcement action reflects ongoing regulatory scrutiny of industrial emissions in Haryana, a state with significant thermal power generation capacity. The substantial penalty underscores the central authority's commitment to enforcing environmental compliance and reducing air pollution from power sector operations.

The violation highlights the continued challenges in maintaining consistent emission standards at thermal facilities, particularly regarding particulate matter, which poses significant health risks to surrounding populations. Regulatory bodies have increasingly relied on electronic monitoring systems and RTI mechanisms to track and penalise non-compliance, ensuring greater transparency in environmental oversight.