changeadminThe Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued Show Cause Notices to six coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) within a 300 km radius of Delhi.
These notices were issued for non-compliance with the mandatory provisions on co-firing pellets or briquettes made from crop residue, as notified under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023.
The action follows a detailed review of compliance status for FY 2024–25, based on data provided by the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
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 to promote ex-situ management of paddy straw, reduce stubble-burning incidents, and mitigate air pollution in the NCR and Adjoining Areas.
Since 2021, the Commission has issued multiple Statutory Directions, including Direction No. 42 dated 17.09.2021, and has consistently monitored implementation through periodic reviews and inspections.
Despite these measures, the compliance status of the following TPPs was unsatisfactory in FY 2024-25, with biomass co-firing levels remaining well below the mandated thresholds.
Consequently, Show Cause Notices proposing the imposition of EC have been issued to the concerned plants, as detailed below:
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Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL – Vedanta), Mansa, Punjab – proposed EC of approx. ₹33.02 Crore;
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Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS), Panipat, Haryana – proposed EC of approx. ₹8.98 Crore;
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Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Station (DCRTPS), Yamunanagar, Haryana – proposed EC of approx. ₹6.69 Crore;
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Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant (RGTPP), Hisar, Haryana – proposed EC of approx. ₹5.55 Crore;
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PSPCL – Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, Punjab – proposed EC of approx. ₹4.87 Crore;
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Harduaganj Thermal Power Station, UPRVUNL, Uttar Pradesh – proposed EC of approx. ₹2.74 Crore.
The total Environmental Compensation proposed across these 6 TPPs amounts to approximately ₹61.85 crore.
Since the issuance of Direction No. 42, the Commission has conducted a thorough review of the matter with all relevant stakeholders, including TPPs.
Observing a considerable lag in compliance with and directions from the Supreme Court, the Commission, in early 2024, issued Notices under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021, to 4 TPPs whose performance had been consistently poor since the exercise began.
The Commission also flagged the issue to 7 TPPs and all relevant authorities, urging immediate measures to comply with the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023.
Even a Committee was constituted to examine representations from non-compliant TPPs (if any) for FY 2024-25.
The concerned TPPs have been directed to submit their written explanations within 15 days of the issue date of the Show Cause Notices.
Failing which, further action shall be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, including action under Section 14 of the Act.
The Commission reiterates that biomass co-firing in TPPs is a critical intervention for effective ex-situ management of crop residue and for the reduction of air pollution in NCR and Adjoining Areas.
The Commission shall continue to enforce Statutory Directions rigorously to ensure timely and sustained compliance by all regulated entities.
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