CAQM Imposes Rs 61 Crore Environmental Compensation on Six Thermal Power Plants
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has levied environmental compensation totalling nearly Rs 61 crore on six coal-based thermal power plants situated within a 300-kilometer radius of Delhi. This decisive action comes as a response to their failure to comply with mandatory co-firing of crop residue-based biomass pellets alongside coal, a critical measure aimed at mitigating air pollution in the National Capital Region and adjacent areas.
Details of the Penalized Plants and Fines
Among the six plants penalized, three are located in Haryana, two in Punjab, and one in Uttar Pradesh. The commission has issued a directive requiring these facilities to deposit the compensation by April 15, 2025. The breakdown of fines is as follows:
- Talwandi Sabo Power Limited in Punjab faces the highest penalty of approximately Rs 33 crore.
- In Haryana: Panipat Thermal Power Station (Rs 8.9 crore), Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant (Rs 6.7 crore), and Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant (Rs 5.5 crore).
- Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant in Punjab (Rs 4.9 crore).
- Harduaganj Thermal Power Station in Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.8 crore).
Regulatory Framework and Compliance Issues
CAQM's action is grounded in the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, which mandate all coal-based thermal power plants to utilize a 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes with coal. For the fiscal year 2024-25, a minimum co-firing threshold of 3% has been prescribed to avoid the imposition of environmental compensation. This policy is a cornerstone of an ex-situ crop residue management strategy designed to reduce stubble burning in neighboring states, particularly following the paddy harvest in winter.
Emissions from stubble burning are a significant contributor to air pollution in Delhi and adjoining regions during the peak winter pollution season. Farmers often resort to burning stubble to clear fields swiftly between harvesting and sowing cycles. By promoting the use of agricultural waste in power generation, the policy seeks to provide a sustainable disposal mechanism for farmers while simultaneously reducing dependence on coal and curbing harmful emissions.
Enforcement and Monitoring Process
During a compliance review for 2024-25, CAQM identified six plants in violation of these rules. A multi-agency committee was constituted, comprising representatives from the Central Electricity Authority, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the SAMARTH Mission, to examine the responses submitted by the non-compliant plants.
"Despite being given multiple opportunities for representation and personal hearings, the committee concluded that the plants had not made sufficient efforts to comply with statutory directions," CAQM stated in a communication issued on Wednesday. The commission emphasized that the statutory provisions aim to promote ex-situ management of crop residue, reduce paddy straw burning, and mitigate air pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas.
Future Oversight and Commitment
CAQM has affirmed its commitment to ongoing close monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure compliance by all thermal power plants. This enforcement underscores the government's proactive approach to tackling air quality challenges through regulatory measures and sustainable agricultural practices. The move is expected to incentivize other plants to adhere to biomass co-firing mandates, thereby contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment for residents in the region.
