- विज्ञापन -
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on the Ropar Thermal Plant for violating environmental laws. In an order passed on July 7 after a hearing before the PPCB chairman, the board has withdrawn the “consent to operate” of the plant. The plant authorities have been directed to deposit Rs 5 crore within 15 days.
Sources said that with the withdrawal of the “consent to operate” by the board, the plant authorities will not be able to get fresh coal supply till the orders are stayed.
The plant management has been directed to comply with the observations of the team of PPCB officials that visited the plant on March 29, 2025. The next hearing of the case will be in the second week of August.
The PPCB order came after a complaint by Jagdeep Singh of nearby village Thalli. He had alleged that fly ash from the plant was accumulating on his houses, crops and other places. The complaint was made in January 2024. During an inspection, the PPCB team observed clear violations of environmental laws by the plant authorities.
According to a copy of the orders available, there is a high possibility of leaching of ash slurry into the Sutlej due to the absence of permanent embankments around the ash dykes and leachate collection or treatment systems.
Fugitive emissions and poor condition of roads near the ash dykes pose significant health and environmental hazards. Ash-covered roads without water sprinkling or tyre washing cause significant secondary dust emissions due to vehicular traffic.
