CAQM issues notice to six thermal plants for environmental violations

The TPPs – being operated within a 300km radius of Delhi – have been asked to respond to the notices within 15 days. The commission has also proposed a combined environmental compensation (EC) of approximately ₹61.85 crore against the TPPs.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital region (NCR) has issued show cause notices to six coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) for not complying with mandatory provisions related to co-firing of pellets or briquettes made from crop residue. The TPPs – being operated within a 300km radius of Delhi – have been asked to respond to the notices within 15 days.

Currently, there are 11 TPPs within the 300-km radius of Delhi. The plants have a total of 35 operational units, with a combined capacity of 13,575 megawatt (MW).

The commission has also proposed a combined environmental compensation (EC) of approximately ₹61.85 crore against the TPPs.

CAQM said co-firing was notified under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 and the action initiated follows a review of compliance status for FY 2024–25, based on the data provided by the Union Ministry of Power.

Currently, there are 11 TPPs within the 300-km radius of Delhi. The plants have a total of 35 operational units, with a combined capacity of 13,575 megawatt (MW).

The TPPs issued a show cause notice included Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL – Vedanta) in Punjab, for which the proposed EC stands at ₹33.02 crore; Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS) in Haryana (EC of ₹8.98 crore); Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Station (DCRTPS) in Haryana (EC of ₹6.69 crore); Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant (RGTPP) in Haryana (EC of ₹5.55 crore); PSPCL – Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant in Punjab (EC of ₹4.87 crore) and the Harduaganj Thermal Power Station, Uttar Pradesh (EC of ₹2.74 crore).

“The Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023 mandate all coal-based TPPs to utilise a minimum 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes made of crop residue along with coal, with a minimum threshold of more than 3% co-firing prescribed for FY 2024–25 to avoid imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC). These statutory provisions were notified with the objective of promoting ex-situ management of paddy straw, reducing incidents of stubble burning, and mitigating air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas…” a CAQM statement mentioned.

The compliance status of these TPPs was found to be unsatisfactory during FY 2024-25, with biomass co-firing levels remaining well below the mandated thresholds. In early 2024, four TPPs were issued notices for poor performance and seven were asked to ensure compliance.

“Even a committee was constituted for examining the representations of non-compliant TPPs (if any) for the period of FY 2024-25. The commission reiterates that biomass co-firing in TPPs is a critical intervention for effective ex-situ management of crop residue and for reduction of air pollution in NCR,” the statement added.