Six major coal-based thermal power plants located within 300 kilometers of Delhi have been issued formal show-cause notices by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas. The notices propose a total environmental compensation of Rs 61.85 crore.
The penalties are being proposed due to the power plants' failure to comply with environmental norms. The CAQM has been actively working to reduce air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, and these notices are part of a broader effort to enforce environmental regulations.
The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) informed that thermal power plants that fail to comply with the new emission norms by the specified deadlines are considered non-compliant and are liable for penal action, including plant closure and imposition of environmental compensation.
In related news, the Delhi government has announced that the "No PUC, No Fuel" policy will remain in effect even after the GRAP-IV restrictions are lifted. This means that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will continue to be barred from refueling in the capital. The Delhi government has also decided to only allow BS-VI vehicles into the capital from Thursday. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced a series of new steps to address vehicular pollution including an integrated traffic system that will cut down on time and pollution at traffic lights and a car-pooling app.
Air quality in Delhi remains a significant concern. The air quality forecast failed as Delhi's AQI slipped into the 'severe' category above 400, with the national capital and neighboring Noida recording the worst air quality in the country. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has criticized former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for "11 years of neglect and criminal inaction" regarding the air pollution situation in Delhi.
In a separate incident, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 6.93 crore on the Panipat Thermal Power Station for causing air pollution and soil contamination. The penalty was calculated based on the amount of ash accumulated in the station's ash dykes over a specific period. The NGT also directed the plant to establish a sustainable green belt within the designated area, ensuring the survival of various species for the next five years. The tribunal noted that when the environment is damaged due to illegal activities that violate environmental laws and norms, the violator is liable for the costs associated with the remediation and rejuvenation of the damaged environment. Soil analysis revealed that nickel and zinc concentrations were higher than the target values recommended by the WHO, indicating the impact of unscientific ash disposal and management by Panipat Thermal Power Station.
