Measures Against Polluting Industries
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has expanded its focus from the National Capital Region (NCR) to also include industries outside of NCR that contribute to air pollution. This marks a shift from previously targeting mainly stubble burning, brick kilns, and thermal power plant emissions.
Action Plans for Non-NCR Districts
- The CAQM has directed states adjacent to Delhi, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab, to develop action plans aimed at eliminating coal as a fuel source in industries situated in non-NCR districts. These plans are to be submitted to CAQM within three months.
- The targeted industries include steel mills, foundries, refractory and ceramics units, cement units, paper and pulp mills, textile, food processing, and brick kilns, which primarily use coal, pet coke, and furnace oil.
Transition to Cleaner Fuels
- Out of 7,759 fuel-based industries in Delhi-NCR, 7,449 have transitioned to approved, cleaner fuels such as natural gas, electricity, biofuels, and biomass.
- The remaining 310 industries have either been closed or transitioned voluntarily by the operators.
Compliance and Threat of Closure
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has warned 2,254 out of 3,500 polluting industries in Delhi-NCR of potential closure if they fail to install air pollution-reducing devices and systems to monitor emissions online.
Future Measures for Thermal Power Plants
- CAQM has proposed that no new coal-based thermal power plants should be established within 300 kilometers of Delhi, and is considering transitioning existing coal-fired plants to gas-based ones.
- There are currently 11 thermal power plants with 35 units and a combined installed capacity of 13,575 MW within this radius, contributing to sulphur dioxide and particulate matter pollution.
Brick Kilns and Biomass Usage
- Brick kilns beyond NCR districts are required to use paddy straw-based biomass pellets or briquettes for co-firing, with a target of achieving 20% biomass fuel from November 1, and increasing up to 50% by November 202.