Question raised in Lok Sabha on Pollution Emanated from Thermal Power Plants, 20/07/2018. The coal based thermal power plants are identified as one the 17 highly polluting industries. There are 182 coal based thermal power plants (independent power producers) of which 32 plants are located near cities. The list of thermal power plants is given at Annexure I. The compliance monitoring is carried out by the respective State Pollution Control Boards. Surprise inspection of 38 thermal power plants in various states based on analysis of data of Online Emission Monitoring System has been done. Among these, 23 plants were initially found violating the emission norms. The directions under section 5 of E(P) Act, 1986 were issued to these 23 plants (Annexure-II). Out of these 23 plants, 15 plants have subsequently complied the environmental norms.