New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has directed the industries located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Haryana, U.P. and Rajasthan to switch to PNG or Biomass Fuel by September 30, 2022. The directive is specific to those industries that have not yet shifted to PNG or biomass fuel despite the availability of natural gas infrastructure and supply.
The Commission has warned that non-switchover shall result in closure of industries using other fuels.
Till such time the transition to fuels is effected, such industries shall use only fuels as approved by the respective State Governments for industrial operations, the Commission stated.
Also read: Air Quality Commission shuts down industries not running on PNG in NCR
The Commission stated today that it set the deadline after soliciting views from different Organizations, Associations, Entities and State Governments. Biomass-based fuels are much more environment friendly than fossil fuels like High Speed Diesel and Coal, in terms of carbon emissions.
The emissions from industries using polluting fuels like coal, diesel, etc., create an adverse impact on air quality in the NCR and shifting of industries to PNG/cleaner fuels has always been a priority for CAQM, it stated.
Apart from that, open burning of biomass is also one of the major causes for air pollution in NCR. Through enhanced usage of biomass as fuel in industrial operations in the NCR, Commission is primarily focused on controlling the issue of biomass burning. This will not only help in minimizing the usage of polluting fuel in NCR industries but also enhance farmers’ earnings, while ensuring proper utilization of biomass, the Commission said.
All industries in the NCR running on coal if shifted to PNG or biomass fuels in conjunction with Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD), would result in a remarkable decline in biomass burning across different regions of NCR and adjoining areas, thereby improving the air quality, it said.
-global bihari bureau
