Ranchi: The Central Pollution Control Board has asked Tenughat Thermal Power Station in Bokaro, run by a state government undertaking, to shut down both its units for violating environmental rules and causing heavy air and water pollution.

It could not be ascertained when central pollution watchdog signed and sent the notice, but Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) member secretary S.K. Suman told The Telegraph that they received a letter with the directive only on Wednesday.

"Closure notice has been given under section 5 of the Environmental Protection Act primarily for air and water pollution. However, I haven't read it in detail and can speak on it only tomorrow (Thursday) when the office opens," he said.

Another source in the board said the closure notice spoke about violations such as lack of an online monitoring system, ash disposal ponds, smoke management and electrostatic precipitation to control smoke in chimney.