Researchers at IIT Delhi estimate that fully mitigating sulphur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants could prevent 1,24,564 deaths every year across India. The study, published in Nature this week, quantifies how these emissions contribute to both direct SO₂ levels and secondary PM2.5 formation. It also highlights uneven benefits that would favour lower-income and marginalised groups.
The analysis used air quality models, satellite data and the Global Burden of Disease framework. It found that complete SO₂ reduction would lower annual PM2.5 exposure by 0.3–12 microgrammes per cubic metre and ambient SO₂ by 0.1–13.6 parts per billion. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka would record the largest drops in avoidable deaths, while Chhattisgarh and Odisha would see the sharpest air-quality gains.
Co-author Debajit Sarkar said the team wanted to give states precise emission figures so they could design targeted policies. The study also noted that people from Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and poorer households would gain more than wealthier groups, framing the issue as one of environmental equity.
India’s SO₂ emissions from coal plants rose from 2.36 thousand kilotonnes in 2005 to 5.05 thousand kilotonnes in 2021, with a further 30 percent increase in 2023. The researchers urged stricter enforcement of 2015 emission norms, wider use of flue-gas desulphurisation systems and priority action in pollution hotspots.