CAQM fines 6 thermal plants Rs 61.85 cr for biomass rule violation

The CAQM has fined six thermal power plants near Delhi a total of Rs 61.85 crore for not using biomass with coal as mandated. The move aims to curb crop residue burning and mitigate air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has imposed Environmental Compensation (EC) totalling approximately Rs 61.85 crore on six coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) within a 300 km radius of Delhi for non-compliance with statutory provisions mandating the use of biomass along with coal.

Biomass Co-firing Mandate

The action follows violations of the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, which require all coal-based TPPs to use a 5 per cent blend of biomass pellets or briquettes along with coal, with a minimum threshold of 3 per cent co-firing prescribed for FY 2024-25. These rules were notified to promote ex-situ management of crop residue, curb paddy straw burning, and mitigate air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas, a release said.

Review Finds Non-Compliance

The Commission has also issued Statutory Direction No. 42 dated 17.09.2021 and has continuously monitored compliance through periodic reviews, facilitated stakeholder consultations and joint inspection visits. During review of compliance for the period 2024-25, 06 TPPs were found non-compliant.

Accordingly, a Committee was constituted comprising of members from CAQM, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agri-Residue in Thermal Power Plants (SAMARTH) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per the release, the Committee was framed to review and consider representations submitted by TPPs w.r.t. relaxation on the Environmental Compensation imposed on them for non-utilization of crop residue on case to case basis.

Details of Imposed Fines

The Committee examined performance data, compliance status, written submissions and grounds cited by the TPPs, and also provided opportunity of personal hearing to the concerned entities. The replies of the 06 non-compliant TPPs were reviewed in detail by the Committee and it was observed that the reasons provided did not establish that the entities tried earnestly to comply with the Statutory Directions.

The Committee, accordingly, submitted a report to CAQM recommending the imposition of Environmental Compensation on six non-compliant Thermal Power Plants: Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL - Vedanta) in Mansa, Punjab, for approximately Rs 33.02 crore; Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS) under Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) for approximately Rs 8.98 crore; Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant (DCRTPP), HPGCL, for approximately Rs 6.69 crore; Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant (RGTPP), HPGCL, for approximately Rs 5.55 crore; Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant (GHTPP), Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), for approximately Rs 4.87 crore; and Harduaganj Thermal Power Station (HTPS), Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL), for approximately Rs 2.74 crore.

The total Environmental Compensation imposed across these 06 non-compliant TPPs amounts to approximately Rs 61.85 Crore, a release added.

Payment Deadline and Continued Monitoring

The Commission has directed the concerned TPPs to deposit the imposed Environmental Compensation by April 15 and submit proof of such deposit to the Commission.

The Commission reiterates that biomass co-firing in Thermal Power Plants is a crucial measure for effective ex-situ management of crop residue, reducing instances of paddy straw burning, and mitigating air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas. The Commission shall continue to pursue strict enforcement of Statutory Directions and monitor compliance closely to ensure that all regulated entities adhere to the prescribed norms. (ANI)

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