A CPCB team from Vadodara had visited Koradi on June 1 and 2 on the directives of Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Following TOI reports on air pollution by KTPS, activist Ankita Shah had lodged a complaint with PMO.

The visit report dated June 14, was recently provided to Shah by CPCB head office through Right to Information (RTI). It states that the sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions at stack (chimney) that were observed during monitoring were single digit and below detectable limit (BDL) and hence are "not expected or acceptable."

The particulate matter (PM) levels at stack were within limits. However, at the time of monitoring, the units were functioning at less than half their capacity. Environment expert Debi Goenka said monitoring should be done only when the units are operating at full capacity.

The report further supported TOI's contention that installation of a flu-gas desulphuriser (FGD) unit was mandatory at KTPS. "As per the environmental clearance (EC) by ministry of environment, forests and climate change, (MoEFCC), FGD was to be installed. But except for floating a tender, no proper work is reported," it said.

The report strongly asserts that Mahagenco that runs KTPS, needs to provide air pollution control system in the three units. "The plant should be shut down unless all the conditions are met," said Goenka.

On online continuous emission monitoring systems (OCEMS), the report clearly pointed out the records were not maintained properly. "Some of the observed values are not representative and need proper calibration and functioning. Though registration of the system with CPCB had been done, connectivity to the board is yet to be established," it said. The report at present is being examined at CPCB headquarters in Delhi.

In April, TOI had visited five affected villages surrounding KTPS where locals were facing various health issues due to emission of fly-ash and other pollutants. Surprisingly, the monitoring results of CPCB team in Suradevi, Waregaon, Singori and Bokhara villages shows levels of all pollutants within permissible limits. According to it, the weather conditions during monitoring were "cloudy, stormy and light drizzle."

Questioning the results, Goenka said monitoring should not have been done under such conditions. "Even a light drizzle washes out pollutants from the air," he said.

The team members had interacted with residents of four villages. The report states that Waregaon gram panchayat staff had complained of dust problem due to improper transportation of fly-ash by trucks. A farmer from Chakki Khapa also reported dust problems in his farm. Same is the case with Suradevi.

CPCB team suggested coal handling and transfer junctions should be provided with dust extraction system as per EC condition. "Fugitive emissions from fly-ash silo should be arrested," the report said.

The report criticized the stack monitoring system stating it was not as per Emission Regulations (Part-3) of CPCB. "It is observed that maintenance lift used to reach the location for sampling is not safe at 80 metre height with darkness and no proper ventilation. The other lift for inspection is yet to be provided and there are openings in stacks from where air can enter," it added.