New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued show-cause notices to six coal-based thermal power plants located within a 300-km radius of Delhi for failing to comply with mandatory biomass co-firing norms, proposing environmental compensation of approximately ₹61.85 crore.
The notices were issued following a detailed review of compliance for the financial year 2024–25, based on data submitted by the Ministry of Power. The plants were found to be in violation of the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, which mandate the use of biomass pellets or briquettes made from crop residue along with coal.
“Despite repeated statutory directions and continuous monitoring, the level of biomass co-firing at these thermal power plants has remained significantly below the prescribed thresholds,” the Commission said, adding that such non-compliance defeats the very objective of the rules aimed at reducing air pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas.
As per the rules, coal-based thermal power plants are required to use a minimum 5 per cent biomass blend, while a co-firing level of more than 3 per cent has been prescribed for 2024–25 to avoid the imposition of environmental compensation. These provisions were notified to promote ex-situ management of paddy straw and to curb incidents of stubble burning.
Highlighting the seriousness of the violations, the Commission said, “Biomass co-firing is a critical intervention for the effective management of crop residue and for mitigating air pollution. Any laxity in compliance cannot be allowed.”
Among the plants issued notices, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (Vedanta) in Punjab faces a proposed environmental compensation of about ₹33.02 crore, followed by Panipat Thermal Power Station in Haryana at ₹8.98 crore; Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Station in Yamunanagar at ₹6.69 crore; Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant in Hisar at ₹5.55 crore; Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant at Lehra Mohabbat in Punjab at ₹4.87 crore; and Harduaganj Thermal Power Station in Uttar Pradesh at ₹2.74 crore.
The Commission said it has been intensively reviewing the issue since 2021, including through Direction No. 42 issued on September 17, 2021. “A huge lag in compliance has been observed, despite clear statutory directions and even directions of the Supreme Court,” it noted, adding that notices under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021, had earlier been issued to plants with consistently poor performance.
The concerned thermal power plants have been asked to submit their written explanations within 15 days of the issuance of the show-cause notices. “In case of failure to respond within the stipulated time, further action shall be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the CAQM Act,” the Commission warned.
Reiterating its stand, the Commission said it would continue strict enforcement of statutory directions. “Ensuring timely and sustained compliance by all regulated entities is essential to achieve lasting improvements in air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas,” it said.
(Cover Image Credit: Canva)
