NGT takes note of plastic waste violations, seeks report
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the submissions of the petitioner's counsel that in October 2021, the CPCB issued certain directions to 25 such manufacturers, including immediately closing down operations until they switched to environmentally sound alternatives, which were not complied with.
The bench, in its order dated May 30, noted that according to the counsel, Anuj Aggarwal, certain provisions of the plastic waste management rules were being flouted.
These included the clause that 'sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala' and 'plastic material, in any form including vinyl acetate, maleic acid, vinyl chloride copolymer (used in plastic coating) shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms', the bench noted.
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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Environment Ministry exempts 78% of coal plants from installing key anti-polluting systems
The Environment Ministry has exempted the majority of India's thermal power plants from installing flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, which are designed to cut sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions. Flue gas, a residue from thermal power plants, emits SO 2 , which can mix in the atmosphere and create secondary particulate matter. These are linked to air pollution. There are about 180 thermal power plants in India. A single plant can have multiple units. Now on, only about 11% of India's 600 thermal power plant (TPP) units have to mandatorily install FGD systems. These plants, called 'Category A', are the ones located within 10 km radius of the National Capital Region or are cities with a population of at least a million (2011 Census). Originally, these plants were to have put in place FGD systems by 2017 but have been given multiple extensions to comply. The latest – as per a gazette notification this week – is December 30, 2027. Another 11% of TPPs, called Category B – located within 10 km radius of critically polluted areas (CPA) or non-attainment cities (NAC) – may or may not have to install FGD. This would depend upon a decision by a committee of experts (Expert Appraisal Committee) – an existing body constituted by the Environment Ministry that grants environment clearances to proposed coal plant projects. Category B plants that comply with the EAC norms have a deadline of December 30, 2028, to install the FGD. CPA are regions or industrial clusters that are extremely polluted and deemed so according to a specified criteria by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). NAC – there are 131 of them – are those that have the worst air quality and haven't met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for at least five years. The remaining 78% of thermal power plants , or 'Category C', and are now exempt from installing FGD. The updated rules regarding the installation of FGD are exactly in line with the recommendations of an expert committee constituted by Principal Science Adviser Ajay Sood this April. The Hindu had reported on this. Several hurdles Last month, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Central Pollution Control Board was examining this committee's recommendations and would be taking a call on the future of FGD. Only about 8% of India's TPPs have installed FGD units. The limited number of vendors capable of installing such equipment in India, the high installation costs, the potential rise in electricity bills, and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been some of the reasons historically cited by the Power Ministry, the overseer of India's TPPs, for the plants' inability to adhere to previous deadlines. In theory, the costs of non-compliance could run to crores of rupees in fines, though these have not materialised thanks to deadline extensions. The guiding principles behind the committee's recommendations were: SO 2 levels in ambient air across the country are around 10-20 micrograms/cubic metre, well below India's air quality norms of 80; Indian coal is low in sulphur; SO 2 levels in cities near plants with operational FGD units do not differ significantly from those without these units, and all of these were anyway well below permissible levels. The committee had said that the concerns about sulphates – a potential by-product when SO 2 emissions reach certain atmospheric levels, thus forming particulate matter (PM) – are unfounded. They cited an analysis of 5,792 PM samples across the country, which found 'low elemental sulphur' content (max 8 micrograms/m3 after outlier removal), which was deemed 'insignificant — for considering PM removal as a benefit of FGD'. 'The CPCB and MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) should have carried out a more diligent benefit cost assessment of the retrofit for SOX control. With nearly 15% of India's ambient PM2.5 attributable to the combustion of coal, this latest notification is a short-sighted one that is not founded in the science of how and where PM2.5 forms, especially from large stacks,' Kartik Ganesan, an expert on energy and environment, at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a think tank, told The Hindu. Manoj Kumar, who has researched the FGD's impact at the Centre for Research and Energy on Clean Air, criticised the decision. 'Power plants are known to impact areas 200 kilometres away from their location. Thus, they are a source of transboundary pollution, regardless of the category they fall into. Additionally, using tall chimneys is not an effective pollution-control measure; it merely disperses sulfur dioxide higher into the atmosphere, where it eventually forms toxic fine particles. This decision will affect millions of lives in India by increasing the risk of lung and heart diseases,' he told The Hindu.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Centre eases SO2 emission norms, exempts large number of coal plants
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The central government has once again extended the deadline for coal-based thermal power plants to comply with sulphur dioxide emission norms and has fully exempted those located away from critically polluted areas or cities with a population of over one a notification dated July 11, the environment ministry said the compliance deadline for Category A plants, located within a 10-km radius of the National Capital Region or cities with a population of over one million, has been extended from December 2024 to December B plants, situated within a 10-km radius of critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities, will now be assessed on a case-by-case basis instead of adhering to the earlier 2025 C plants -- all others not falling under Category A or B -- have been completely exempted from the sulphur dioxide norms, provided they meet the prescribed stack height criteria. These plants were earlier required to comply by December gas desulphurization units are installed in coal-fired power plants to control sulphur dioxide emissions , a major air pollutant. SO2 converts into fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause a range of diseases, leading to millions of deaths each ministry said it had received numerous representations seeking exemption or relaxation in the timelines of the emission standards due to factors such as the "limited availability of technology providers, its techno-economic feasibility, negative impact of the Covid pandemic on supply chain, price escalation due to high demand and low supplies, low Sulphur dioxide concentration in ambient air and heavy burden on consumer due to increase in electricity prices etc".It added that it had also received an "explicit recommendation" from the Ministry of Power in this to the notification, several studies were conducted by research institutions regarding the effectiveness and rationale behind the SO2 standards and their role in the overall ambient air pollution of the ministry said consultations were held with the industry, the Ministry of Power, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), scientific institutions and other stakeholders regarding the emission standards and their added that a committee was constituted in the CPCB to "examine the issue in totality, assess the available study reports, other relevant materials and other related factors and make a recommendation on applicability of these standards and its timeline".The CPCB, after detailed analysis, submitted its recommendation based on its study on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of SO2 across most regions of the country; resource conservation in terms of avoiding additional consumption of water, auxiliary power and limestone; and the increase in carbon footprint or carbon dioxide emissions due to operation of the deployed control measures and mining and transportation of limestone required for these also considered the techno-economic feasibility of implementing such control measures in all coal or lignite-based thermal power plants and the application of the precautionary principle for control and abatement of air pollution in densely populated and other air pollution-sensitive areas, the ministry said.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
South Delhi plots up for grabs? DDA to auction prime land in Vasant Kunj
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated a plan to auction 118 residential plots in the upscale Sector D-6 of Vasant Kunj, South Delhi—a move aimed at meeting growing demand for plotted housing in the capital's premier zones. To ensure auction-ready quality, the authority has floated a tender to appoint an agency to execute plot demarcation and comprehensive infrastructure development valued at Rs 7.5 crore. Scope of Infrastructure Development The allottee agency will undertake a full suite of foundational work over 12 months (with an initial 3-month design and approval phase, followed by 9 months of execution), covering: Precise demarcation of all 118 plots Construction of internal roads, stormwater drainage, sewerage systems, water supply networks Footpaths, green belts, and connectivity to existing manholes Clearing and mechanical disposal of debris Strict adherence to CPWD guidelines and National Green Tribunal norms—including tree safety and minimal vegetation loss—will be maintained throughout Parking Enhancements for D6 Mega Housing Beyond plots, the development package also includes a two-level deck parking facility and expanded surface parking to serve the adjacent D6 Mega Housing complex, which comprises roughly 1,904 flats. These measures aim to tackle chronic parking congestion in the area. In the said work, the DDA will also develop surface parking of Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada and Saraswati blocks of Sector D6 Vasant Kunj Mega Housing. Why Vasant Kunj Plots Are a Rare Opportunity Prime location in South Delhi — Vasant Kunj is an affluent, well-developed neighbourhood close to the airport, premium malls, green belts and top schools Availability of freehold plots here is extremely limited, making these a premium offering. The DDA's ₹7.5 crore development plan includes roads, drainage, sewerage, water supply, footpaths, green spaces and a two-level deck parking for 1,904 flats Timeline & Auction Mechanics Following infrastructure completion, the plots will be offered through an e-auction platform. Plot sizes and base pricing have not yet been disclosed; interested buyers are advised to monitor forthcoming DDA notices closely. According to the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), the entire project is to be completed within 12 months from the date the tender is awarded. "The maximum time allowed for planning and design, including vetting by the competent authority, is three months. The actual execution of work must be completed within nine months from the date of allotment," the tender document states. Financial Considerations for Buyers 1. Auction Price & Budgeting As of now, plot sizes and base prices haven't been disclosed. Keep an eye out for the DDA's e-auction notice—it will outline starting bids and eligibility criteria, often based on past rates in upscale areas like this (expect ₹100K+ per sq ft, though exact figures can vary). 2. Development Cost Recoup Timing The ₹7.5 crore development outlay is borne by DDA, not the buyer—but infrastructure value will reflect in plot premiums. Historically, well-developed plots in premium localities retain value and appreciate steadily. 3. Liquidity & Investment Model Plot auctions can be illiquid initially; resale depends on demand. If you're purchasing to build, factor in construction costs, permits, GST, and time. If it's for resale investment, monitor market trends post-infrastructure completion. 4. Financing & Eligibility Financing through housing loans may not always cover plot purchases—banks often require borrowers to have existing DDA plot eligibility and sometimes impose different LTV ratios. Check with your bank before bidding. 5. Taxes & Holding Costs Budget for stamp duty, registration charges, and annual property tax.
