Thar Coal power projects might very well become a major cause of air pollution with the possibility of causing 29,000 deaths, says a new study.
According to the study conducted by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), various coal-powered electricity generation plants of up to a total of 6,000 megawatts are under construction across the country, of which, 3,700 megawatts projects are situated in Thar alone and will pose a serious environmental threat to the local population.
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“The proposed plants would constitute one of the largest air pollutant, mercury and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission hotspots in South Asia,” said the report.
“Other health impacts include 40,000 asthma emergency room visits, 19,900 new cases of asthma in children, 32,000 preterm births, 20 million days of work absence (sick leave) and 57,000 years lived with disability related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and stroke,” it added.
The report also highlighted that due to these coal-powered electricity projects, around 100,000 people will be subjected to a dangerously high level of Sulphur Dioxide SO2 that might result in 29,000 deaths.
Furthermore, these projects will also produce 1,400 kg of mercury annually, which will be eventually released into the ecosystem, eventually becoming a part of food chain causing serious health concerns to both the livestock and the local population.
In addition to it, the report also expressed concerns regarding the failure of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency in ensuring the implementation of environmental rules and regulations. It also cited that either the relevant authorities have failed to heed to the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) or they were never even done in the first place.
It is to be noted that 330 megawatts coal power project at Thar Block-II was completed in January this year, whereas two projects of 330 megawatts each of Engro Group had already started producing electricity before that.
