Daily Mains Question – GS 3 – 26th July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — crafted to examine the complex trade-offs between economic development and environmental sustainability, a critical theme in GS Paper 3 under Environment, Pollution Control, and Infrastructure. Today’s question evaluates the environmental and public health consequences of delaying flue-gas desulphurization (FGD) technology in India’s ageing coal-fired power plants, and compares these with the financial costs of pollution control implementation.
Coal-fired thermal plants generate over half of India’s electricity, but they are also the largest stationary source of sulphur dioxide (SO₂)—a pollutant linked to acid rain, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and severe health outcomes. Despite policy mandates issued in 2015, FGD compliance has been repeatedly postponed due to concerns over capital expenditure, grid reliability, and tariff impacts. However, the mounting burden of air pollution—measured in premature deaths, public health costs, and environmental degradation—raises urgent questions about India’s long-term development model. This discussion connects with GS Paper 2 (Governance and Public Health) and GS Paper 3 (Pollution, Sustainable Development, and Infrastructure).
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QUESTION
Discuss the environmental and public health implications of delaying the installation of flue-gas desulphurization (FGD) units in ageing coal-fired power plants. How do these consequences compare with the economic costs of implementing such pollution control technologies?
Answer: Coal-fired thermal power plants remain the backbone of India’s energy sector, contributing around 55% of electricity generation. However, they are also the largest stationary source of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions in the country. To mitigate these emissions, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2015 mandated the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units by 2017. However, repeated deadline extensions—now up to 2027 for select plants—have led to prolonged environmental and health consequences.
Environmental and Public Health Implications of Delayed FGD Installation
1. Air Pollution and Particulate Matter Formation
SO₂ reacts with ammonia (NH₃) and other atmospheric compounds to form ammonium sulphate, a key contributor to PM2.5.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), SO₂ contributes nearly one-third of PM2.5 levels in India.
PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing systemic health effects.
2. Public Health Crisis
Direct SO₂ exposure leads to respiratory distress, bronchitis, asthma, and aggravation of existing cardiovascular diseases.
As per Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), non-compliance with SO₂ norms leads to ~50,000 premature deaths annually in India.
Vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions are disproportionately affected.
3. Environmental Degradation
Acid Rain Formation: SO₂ emissions contribute to acid rain, which acidifies soil and water bodies, disrupts aquatic ecosystems, and reduces agricultural productivity.
Long Atmospheric Lifespan: As per CSE (2021), SO₂ remains in the atmosphere for up to 10 days and can travel over 300 km, causing transboundary pollution.
4. Climate and Ecological Impacts
Though SO₂ is not a greenhouse gas, its aerosols affect cloud albedo and monsoon patterns, altering local and regional climate.
Degradation of forests and water systems due to acid deposition impacts biodiversity and food security.
5. Public Health System and Economic Productivity
Rising disease burden strains the public healthcare infrastructure and reduces labour productivity and GDP output due to illness-related absenteeism.
Economic Costs of Installing FGD Technology
1. Capital and Operational Expenses
Installation cost ranges from ₹1.0–1.5 crore per MW depending on plant size and technology.
FGDs increase auxiliary power consumption by 1.5–2% and O&M costs.
2. Impact on Tariffs and Power Supply
Estimated tariff hike of 20–30 paise per unit may burden DISCOMs and consumers.
Temporary shutdowns for retrofitting may result in short-term power outages and generation loss.
3. Technological and Logistical Challenges
High dependence on imported FGD equipment, especially from China and Japan, creates supply bottlenecks.
Shortage of skilled workforce and regulatory uncertainties hamper timely implementation.
4. Financial Stress in the Power Sector
Many power producers and DISCOMs are already under financial duress, making capital-intensive retrofitting economically unviable without government support.
Comparison and Analysis
Aspect | Environmental & Health Costs | Economic Costs |
Short-Term | Worsening air quality, health risks, ecosystem degradation | High capital and installation costs |
Long-Term | Chronic diseases, premature deaths, productivity loss, biodiversity decline | Recovery via energy efficiency, possible carbon credits |
Externalities | Costs borne by public and environment | Costs internalized by power producers |
Development Goals | Violates SDGs 3, 13, 15 | Aligns with Paris Agreement, India’s NDCs, and SDG-13 |
Delaying FGD installation externalizes the costs onto society, while implementing FGDs internalizes them within the polluting entity—leading to long-term sustainability.
Way Forward
Incentivized Implementation
Government subsidies or Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for FGD units.
Inclusion under Renewable Energy and Pollution Control Bonds.
Phased Roll-Out and Prioritization
Prioritize retrofitting in pollution hotspots and NCR.
Schedule installation during low-demand seasons to avoid outages.
Indigenous Technology Development
Boost domestic R&D to reduce dependence on imports.
Facilitate technology transfer under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Integrated Emission Strategy
Combine SO₂ control with overall PM reduction strategies, such as electrostatic precipitators, low-NOx burners, and carbon capture systems.
The economic concerns of FGD installation are real, but they pale in comparison to the public health and environmental consequences of inaction. The true cost of not installing FGDs lies in premature deaths, degraded ecosystems, productivity losses, and climate instability. A proactive, technology-backed, and financially supportive approach is imperative for India to achieve clean energy goals, air quality improvement, and sustainable development.
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