New Delhi, April 8 -- 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.

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...