The Central Pollution Control Board has found major emission violations at two thermal power plants in Haryana and Punjab, both within 300 km of Delhi, with one Haryana unit recording particulate matter nearly 39 times the prescribed limit. The Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Project in Yamuna Nagar faces an interim environmental compensation assessment of Rs 31.4 crore, while Punjab’s Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant has been directed to undergo a similar assessment.
The findings are recorded in CPCB directions and letters dated June 16 and June 23, 2026, which were accessed through an RTI filed by activist Amit Gupta. The documents show that the violations involve both emissions and shortcomings in monitoring and pollution-control systems at the two plants.
At the Haryana facility, CPCB conducted stack-emission monitoring of two 300-MW units on February 10 and 11. The prescribed particulate matter limit was 50 mg/Nm³. Unit 1 recorded 63.9 mg/Nm³, while Unit 2 recorded 1,939 mg/Nm³, or about 38.8 times the permitted level.
CPCB’s June 23 direction assessed interim environmental compensation of Rs 31.4 crore for the Haryana plant. The amount was calculated using electricity generation during the assessed non-compliant period. The plant generated 786.6 million units during that period, with compensation calculated at Rs 0.40 per unit. The direction said the amount could change depending on the plant’s subsequent compliance.
The plant has also been issued a show-cause notice under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. CPCB has asked it to explain why compensation should not be imposed for violating revised particulate matter standards. The documents cited in the report also record that the plant had not installed flue gas desulphurisation devices.
At the Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant in Bathinda, CPCB’s inspection on November 3, 2025, found that particulate matter exceeded prescribed limits in Units 1, 3 and 4. Unit 3 recorded 102.5 mg/Nm³ and Unit 4 recorded 102.7 mg/Nm³. The prescribed limit cited for particulate matter was 50 mg/Nm³.
Nitrogen oxide emissions were also above the prescribed limit in Units 3 and 4. Unit 3 recorded 553.2 mg/Nm³ and Unit 4 recorded 632.5 mg/Nm³, against a limit of 450 mg/Nm³.
CPCB also identified deficiencies in the Bathinda plant’s compliance systems. Its online continuous emission monitoring system did not conform to CPCB guidelines, the gas analyser in Unit 3 was faulty, and proper facilities for stack monitoring were unavailable. The inspection further found inadequate dust suppression and housekeeping, along with non-functional components in the ash water recovery system.
CPCB did not specify a final compensation amount for the Bathinda plant in its June 16 direction. Instead, it directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board to obtain unit-wise daily electricity-generation data from November 3, 2025, and use the data to calculate interim compensation. The state board was also asked to provide details of compensation imposed and collected for non-compliance from February 7, 2025.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board has been asked to submit an action-taken report within one month. The Haryana plant’s compensation assessment and show-cause process will proceed alongside CPCB’s review of its subsequent compliance.