Air Quality Panel Bans Use Of Coal In Delhi-NCR From 2023

The panel had earlier invited suggestions from the general public and field experts to find a permanent solution to the problem of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Smoke rises from the Badarpur Thermal Power Station in New Delhi (Source: File Photo/AFP)

New Delhi: In the wake of deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued directions for the use of coal in industrial, domestic and other miscellaneous applications from January 1, 2023. However, the use of low sulphur coal in thermal power plants has been exempted from the ban.

In an order issued on June 3, the CAQM said the ban on the use of coal would be applicable from October 1 in areas with PNG infrastructure and supplies and from January 1, 2023, in areas where PNG supplies are still not available. "Totally, use of coal as fuel will be banned in the entire NCR with effect from January 1, 2023," the panel said.

The panel had earlier invited suggestions from the general public and field experts to find a permanent solution to the problem of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

A large number of suggestions were made regarding the ban on coal. The CAQM constituted an expert group to examine and consider all such suggestions and proposals.

In its report, the expert group also strongly recommended the elimination of heavily polluting fossil fuels such as coal and mandating clean fuels as much as possible.

Around 1.7 million tons of coal are utilised yearly in modern applications in NCR, with around 1.4 million tons being consumed in six significant modern regions alone.

In its report, the expert group additionally emphatically suggested progressively transitioning away from vigorously polluting fossil fuels like coal and mandating cleaner fuels to the extent possible.

(With PTI inputs)