Air panel bans coal as a fuel in NCR from 2023

PHASING OUT OF COAL WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER IN AREAS WHERE PNG IS ALREADY AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, THE BAN DOES NOT COVER THERMAL POWER PLANTS

NEW DELHI: The use of coal as fuel for industrial, domestic and other purposes will be banned across Delhi-ncr from January 1 next year, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said on Wednesday — a move that came after the panel sought suggestions on a permanent solution to the bad air crisis in the region.

The commission said the phasing-out process will begin from October this year. To be sure, this ban does not cover thermal power plants.

“Emissions from heavily polluting fuels like coal for various industrial, domestic and miscellaneous purposes contribute significantly to the degradation of air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas and accordingly a consistent need has been felt to switch over to lesser polluting and cleaner fuel in the NCR,” a statement released by the commission said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAQM said the ban on the use of coal as fuel will come into effect from October 1 in regions where infrastructure and supply for piped natural gas (PNG) are already available. For regions where such PNG supply is still not available, the ban will come into effect from January 1, 2023. The CAQM held a meeting in this regard on June 3.

Several suggestions earlier received by CAQM were related to the banning of coal. The body constituted an expert group to examine and deliberate upon all such suggestions. In its report, the expert group strongly recommended phasing out heavily polluting fossil fuels such as coal, and mandating cleaner fuels to the extent