A study published in the journal Nature by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi estimates that India could prevent 124,564 deaths each year by fully mitigating sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). The research indicates that reducing SO2 emissions could decrease annual PM2.5 exposure by 0.3-12 microgrammes per cubic metre and ambient SO2 levels by 0.1-13.6 parts per billion. The study identifies Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka as states with the highest potential for avoidable deaths due to pollution exposure, while Chhattisgarh and Odisha may see the most significant improvements in air quality. The researchers argue that the health benefits of reducing emissions justify the costs of implementing flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, a technology designed to remove SO2 from exhaust gases. Despite India's SO2 emissions rising significantly from 2.36 thousand kilotonnes in 2005 to 5.05 thousand kilotonnes in 2021, the study emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement of emission norms and the adoption of cleaner technologies to protect vulnerable populations.