124,000 premature deaths can be avoided if the thermal power plants met the new standards set by the Union government of India. In December 2015, the Union government had set emission standards for coal-based power plants, which were to be compiled by December 2017, but according to green activists, not a single plant has complied fully.
‘Nearly 12 lakh early deaths have been attributed to the Indian pollution, in which nearly nine lakh are directly linked to air pollution says a Greenpeace report
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The report, 'Source apportionment, health effects and potential reduction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in India', by Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge with the contribution of Greenpeace India, seeks to add research to the government's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). It also contends that canceling the construction of proposed coal-fired power plants can avoid a further 26,000 premature deaths.
According to a Greenpeace report, about 12 lakh premature deaths annually are attributed to pollution in India, of which nine lakh are linked to air pollution.
The study says that implementing the 13 measures it suggests may also lead to 50-60 percent reduction of wintertime PM2.5 levels across north India, including Delhi.
The measures include implementing emission standards on current operating and under-construction coal-based power plants; avoiding emissions from cancellation of new coal-fired power plants; reducing solid fuels, crop burning, diesel generating sets use and municipal solid waste; applying cleaner Bharat Standards fuels; slower oil consumption growth; shift to zigzag kilns and stronger oil sulfur limits and introducing new emission standards.
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"We urge the Environment Ministry to incorporate these measures into the NCAP and ensure thermal power plants implement the notification of December 2015," said Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace India.
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Source-IANS