The occurrence of adioactive substances from the sites of Thermal Power Plants in India have been been reported widely. A recent study by National Geophysical Laboratory found high quantity of nuclear radiation in Chandraapur Thermal power plant in Maharashtra. However, the radiation was within permissible limits. The study, however, fails to answer is whether these substances have affected people living near or working in the plant.
During public hearing for another thermal plant in Maharashtra, the issue of nuclear radiation was raised which was not addressed during the public hearing. The villagers, thereafter, filed a petition with the tribunal seeking direction in this regards.
Justice C V Ramulu and expert member Ravinder Kumar Aggarwal asked the environment ministry to look radioactivity aspects of coal ash for thermal plants. "Radioactivity is a serious problem. Neither the Pollution Control Board nor the Ministry, appear to have, examined the matter properly," the tribunal bench said. Read the full report here.
Source: Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times, New Delhi.
