CAQM issues show-cause notices to six thermal power plants for failing biomass co-firing norms
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to six coal-based thermal power plants located within a 300-km radius of Delhi for failing to meet mandatory biomass co-firing norms.
The Commission has proposed environmental compensation (EC) of nearly Rs 61.85 crore against these plants for non-compliance during the 2024-25 financial year. The notice was issued in light of an enforcement push to curb air pollution linked to stubble burning.
The action follows a detailed compliance review based on data shared by the Ministry of Power. Under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, coal-based plants are required to blend biomass pellets or briquettes made from crop residue with coal. For 2024–25, plants were expected to achieve more than 3 per cent biomass co-firing to avoid penalties, against a long-term target of at least 5per cent. “These statutory provisions are meant to promote ex-situ management of paddy straw and reduce stubble burning, which is a major contributor to winter pollution in Delhi-NCR,” a CAQM official said.
“Despite repeated directions and monitoring, compliance by some plants has remained far below the mandated levels.”
According to CAQM, the six plants found to be in violation include Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (Vedanta) in Punjab, Panipat Thermal Power Station and Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Station in Haryana, Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant in Hisar, Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant in Punjab, and Harduaganj Thermal Power Station in Uttar Pradesh.
The highest proposed penalty, about Rs 33.02 crore, has been recommended against the Talwandi Sabo plant, followed by Panipat TPS with Rs 8.98 crore. Together, the proposed environmental compensation against the six units adds up to around Rs 61.85 crore.
The Commission said it has been monitoring biomass co-firing since 2021, when it first issued statutory directions to thermal power plants in the region. Direction No. 42, issued in September 2021, laid the foundation for the large-scale adoption of crop-residue pellets as a cleaner alternative to coal. These measures were also aligned with the directions of the Supreme Court to tackle air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas.
However, CAQM noted that progress has been uneven. In early 2024, it issued notices under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021, to four power plants whose performance was consistently poor.
Concerns were also flagged before seven other plants and relevant authorities, and a committee was set up to examine representations from non-compliant units for 2024-25.
“Despite facilitation, reviews and repeated reminders, some plants have failed to scale up biomass use,” the Commission said.
“Such delays defeat the objective of reducing open-field burning of crop residue.”
The six thermal power plants have now been asked to submit written explanations within 15 days of receiving the show-cause notices. If their replies are found unsatisfactory, CAQM warned that further action will be taken under the CAQM Act, including punitive measures under Section 14.
Biomass co-firing is seen as a key link between farmers and power producers. Creating demand for crop residue, it offers farmers an alternative to burning paddy straw in fields, a practice that sharply worsens air quality in North India each winter.
CAQM reiterated that strict enforcement will continue. “Co-firing is not optional. It is a critical intervention for public health and air quality,” the Commission said, adding that it will maintain close oversight to ensure sustained compliance by all regulated entities in the NCR and adjoining states.
The notice was issued in light of an enforcement push to curb air pollution linked to stubble burning
