Unit IV of Bathinda plant to close down
SP Sharma
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 27
In a significant relief to residents of the town who were facing acute air pollution caused by Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Power Plant (GNDTP), the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today ordered that its Unit IV be shut down.

The PPCB also ordered the plant authorities to begin ammonia dousing in the other three units to further check emissions and control the level of pollution.

The order to shut down Unit IV within 40 days was taken after an inspection of the plant by PPCB Chairman KS Pannu this morning. Pannu held a meeting with senior officers of the plant and conveyed his displeasure over the failure of the authorities to adhere to the PPCB time-table for reducing pollution levels. He said that although Units I and II had been renovated, their pollution levels remained marginally above the prescribed limits.

Pannu was told that the PPCB officials had checked the pollution level of the plant in May and June and found that the level of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the renovated Unit II was 175 mg/Nm3 against the prescribed limit of 150 mg/Nm3. Besides, the level of the SPM in the emissions discharged by Unit IV (yet to be renovated) was found to be 333 mg/Nm3. Almost similar results were found during the month of June. Pannu discussed the matter with senior functionaries of the PSPCL, including its Chairman, and insisted that the most polluting Unit IV be shut down in 40 days.

To control the concentration of the SPM in the renovated Units I, II and III, Pannu directed that the PSPCL should immediately start the use of ammonia gas to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the emissions.

Chief engineer K Lal said that ammonia dousing had so far been undertaken in Unit IV only.

The level of suspended particulate matter in Unit IV (yet to be renovated) emissions found to be 333 mg/Nm3
The pollution board has ordered the plant authorities to begin ammonia dousing in the other3 units
This will further check emissions and control the level of pollution
Big relief to residents of the town facing air pollution