Ropar- The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs five crore on the Ropar Thermal Plant for violating provisions of the environment law. In an order issued after a hearing with the PPCB Chairman on July 7, the board has withdrawn the permission to operate the Ropar Thermal Plant.
The Ropar Thermal Plant has been directed to deposit Rs five crore within 15 days. According to sources, with the withdrawal of permission to operate from the Ropar Thermal Plant by the Pollution Control Board, the plant officials will not get fresh supply of coal until the orders are stayed.
The Ropar Thermal Plant management has been directed to follow the instructions given by the team of PPCB officials during their visit to the plant on March 29, 2025. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for the second week of August. The Pollution Control Board has issued this order on the complaint of Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Thalli village located near the Ropar Thermal Plant. Jagdeep Singh had alleged that the fly ash from the Ropar Thermal Plant was settling on his houses, crops and other properties. This complaint was filed in January 2024. On the complaint of Jagdeep Singh, PPCB officials had visited the Ropar Thermal Plant and during this, several clear violations of environmental laws were observed. According to the copy of the order available with the Tribune, during the visit to the Ropar Thermal Plant, PPCB officials had found several violations of environmental laws.
We will appeal against the order: Chief Engineer
Harish Kumar Sharma, Chief Engineer of the Ropar Thermal Plant, said that he will appeal against the order of the Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board in the next few days. He said, “We are filing an appeal against the order with the appellate authority. We are following most of the rules under the Act but it was not possible for us to practically address some of the issues raised by the PPCB. In response to a question, he said, "The PPCB order may affect the supply of coal to the Ropar Thermal Plant because without operational approval, we will not get coal supply."