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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CAQM directs Punjab to strengthen measures and incentives to prevent stubble burning ahead of paddy harvest season
1 2 Patiala: With the paddy harvesting season on the horizon, India's air quality regulator has directed Punjab to tighten enforcement and accelerate its push for crop diversification to curb stubble burning — a key contributor to the toxic winter smog that chokes northern India each year. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), during a high-level review meeting in the week, urged the state to bolster real-time monitoring — especially for night-time fires that often evade satellite detection — and to deploy a dedicated 'Parali Protection Force' in hotspot villages. Chairperson Rajesh Verma, who led the meeting, laid out key priorities: scaling up in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy residue, strengthening supply chains for straw-based industries, pressing courts to lift legal barriers preventing mandatory use of paddy straw in brick kilns, and using penalties only as a last resort. Progress was noted in some areas. Punjab officials said cotton cultivation rose 20% this year, aided by seed subsidies, while a ₹17,500-per-acre incentive is being offered to farmers who shift from paddy to maize — a move expected to cut future straw output. Agriculture secretary Basant Garg reported that 3,181 crop-residue management (CRM) machines had been distributed to farmers out of a 4,300-unit target. The state is also establishing 1,500 new custom hiring centres, with 500 dedicated to ex-situ techniques like baling. Punjab has also sought federal aid to subsidise CRM machinery operating costs. However, concerns remain. CAQM member (technical) Varinder Sharma flagged that the Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant at Lehra Mohabbat had achieved less than 3% of its co-firing target using paddy straw pellets — well below expectations. On a more promising note, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) highlighted progress in straw-based industrial use. Chief environmental engineer Krunesh Garg said Punjab had exceeded 2024 goals for installing paddy-straw-fired boilers. New policies now mandate all future distilleries adopt straw-fired systems, while incentives for conventional fuel boilers are being phased out. Subsidies of up to ₹5 crore per unit are being offered for industrial conversions. To showcase innovation in action, CAQM officials visited a paper mill in Mubarakpur village operating a 30 TPH paddy straw boiler, and a briquette plant processing 110 tonnes of straw daily. Punjab's top officials assured the commission that lessons from past burning seasons were shaping a more aggressive strategy for 2025. Since 2018, more than 1.48 lakh subsidised CRM machines have been distributed under the central govt's CRM scheme. Last year, ₹1.48 crore in environmental fines were collected from violators. Officials project paddy straw generation will drop slightly from 19.52 million tonnes in 2024 to 19.32 million tonnes this year. Meanwhile, ex-situ straw use is targeted to rise from 5.96 million tonnes to 7.06 million tonnes in 2025 — a step toward reducing crop-burning emissions and improving winter air quality across the region. MSID:: 122267044 413 |
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
CAQM holds meeting with Haryana, Punjab on air pollution mitigation actions and strategies
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): In a concerted effort to accelerate coordinated action towards abatement of air pollution in the region, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) under the Chairmanship of Rajesh Verma, held two significant high-level review meetings on July 3. The senior officials of the Commission, along with the Chief Secretaries and senior officers of the two State Governments, Haryana and Punjab, were present at the meeting. According to the release, the review aimed to strengthen interdepartmental coordination in the two States, as mentioned earlier and evaluate the implementation of key sectoral measures for the abatement of air pollution in the region. During the meeting with the State Government of Haryana, a detailed review was done on critical areas such as preparedness for the elimination of paddy stubble burning in 2025, as per the approved Action Plan; the use of paddy straw based biomass pellets in brick kilns and compliance of prescribed emission norms by thermal power plants, including a review on the progress made in r/o minimum 5 per cent biomass co-firing targets for 2025-26, as stated in the release. Other issues reviewed included road dust mitigation strategies, especially a review of the action plan formulated by the State Government for the redevelopment of identified roads and various directions issued by the Commission to curb vehicular emissions. These included the progress made towards liquidation of End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles and installation of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera systems in accordance with Direction dated April 23; fast-tracking of adoption of cleaner mobility vehicles services by motor vehicle aggregators, delivery service providers and E-Commerce entities; migration of all buses entering into Delhi including those operating under All India Tourist Permit and other service regimes to cleaner modes, besides such buses already covered under Direction Nos. 78 and 81; and enforcement of restrictions on the entry of polluting transport/ commercial goods vehicles into Delhi. The progress in phasing out all diesel-operated auto-rickshaws and transitioning inter-city buses to clean energy was also deliberated upon. On the same day, the Commission conducted another review meeting with the State Government of Punjab. The review revolved around the State's preparations as per the approved plan for elimination of paddy stubble burning and implementation of the plan of action for prevention and control of paddy Stubble Burning in 2025, targeting complete elimination; mandatory use of biomass pellets in brick kilns, and compliance of prescribed emission norms by thermal power plants, including the target for co-firing minimum 5 per cent bio-mass during 2025-26. The meeting also took stock of the implementation of directions related to vehicular pollution, including the migration of inter-city buses to cleaner fuel modes and restrictions on polluting transport/ commercial goods vehicles entering Delhi. The Commission emphasised the need for the proactive and timely implementation of all Statutory Directions to avoid deterioration in air quality in the region during the upcoming winter season. In addition to the review meetings held, the Commission's team also made field visits on July 4 to various projects/ installations related to ex-situ utilisation of paddy stubble, including, e.g. Pelletisation Plant, Compressed Bio-gas (CBG) Plant, Biogas Plant, 2G Ethanol Plant and Industrial Boiler in the States of Punjab and Haryana. These visits provided on-ground insights into technological and operational progress made by both States in strengthening ex-situ management of paddy stubble. The Commission reiterated the importance of enhanced coordination, targeted implementation of the Action Plans, and strict enforcement of the Statutory Directions issued by the Commission. CAQM appreciated the efforts made by both State Governments so far and urged sustained action and a shared commitment from all concerned stakeholders to ensure visible and measurable improvements in air quality in the region, particularly in view of the approaching winter season. (ANI)
The Print
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Delhi govt working on long-term solution for clean, sustainable transportation: CM Gupta
'In view of the hardships being faced by the citizens of Delhi, our government has written to the CAQM, requesting a reconsideration of the decision to stop supplying fuel to end-of-life (EOL) vehicles. This decision is adversely affecting the daily lives and livelihoods of millions of families,' Gupta said in a post on X in Hindi. In his letter to Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairman Rajesh Verma, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the fuel ban is not feasible and that it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges. The move came three days after the ban came into effect in the national capital. New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said her government is working on long-term solutions for clean and sustainable transportation, after the government urged the Centre's air quality panel to immediately suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles. She said her government is fully committed to controlling air pollution and is working on long-term solutions for clean and sustainable transportation. 'However, while implementing any decision, it is equally important to maintain a balance with the social and economic needs of the citizens,' she added. Gupta said through a letter sent by Sirsa, they have urged that this order be immediately put on hold in the public interest, 'and that a practical, just, and phased solution be formulated after consultations with all stakeholders'. The Delhi government stands firmly with the people of Delhi in its commitment to public welfare and convenience, she said. PTI SLB NB NB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
‘Clean fuel norms will transform NCR by 2026': CAQM chief Rajesh Verma
The National Capital Region (NCR) is undergoing a critical transformation in the way it moves — not just in terms of technology, but in vision, said Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairperson Rajesh Verma on Thursday, making a strong case for clean mobility on World Environment Day. Speaking at Urban Adda 2025, a three-day event hosted by the Raahgiri Foundation, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), and GuruJal, Verma delivered the keynote address on the final day, underscoring that vehicular emissions remain at the heart of NCR's air pollution crisis. HT is a media partner for the event. 'Among the many contributors to air pollution, vehicular emissions remain one of the most pressing issues,' Verma said, highlighting how the explosive growth in vehicle numbers has vastly outpaced infrastructure. 'Between 1981 and 2021, the number of vehicles in Delhi grew 21-fold, while the road length only doubled.' Verma said, stating vehicles were growing at a much rapid pace, thus making the transition to cleaner fuels a slow but gradual exercise. Delhi today has 15.2 million registered vehicles growing at 6% annually, while the rest of NCR accounts for another 11.4 million vehicles, growing at an even faster 8%. Although the Capital occupies just 2.7% of NCR's land area, it houses 57% of its vehicles — placing extraordinary strain on infrastructure and contributing significantly to the region's toxic air, Verma said. Since its establishment in 2021, the CAQM has pushed aggressively to clean up transport — from public to private. 'We have adopted an integrated and sustained strategy,' Verma said, involving cleaner fuels, faster EV adoption, and improvements in public transport access and reliability. The data shared also showed that much of the fleet remains dependent on polluting fuels. Verma shared data that 82% of vehicles in Delhi still run on petrol, 7% on diesel, 8% on CNG, and only 2.8% are electric or hybrid. Just 18% of the city's fleet is BS-IV compliant. 'Older vehicles — BS-IV and below — are responsible for nearly 70% of the city's vehicular pollution. Phasing them out is a key priority,' he said. Expanding EV infrastructure is central to this transition. Charging stations have rapidly multiplied across NCR, creating the ecosystem needed to support electric mobility. The CAQM has also tightened norms for new vehicles. Since January 2023, registration of diesel-run auto-rickshaws has been banned in NCR, with a complete phase-out due by December 2026. From November this year, only cleaner-fuel commercial goods vehicles will be allowed into Delhi. Beginning November 1, 2026, buses and All India Tourist Permit vehicles entering Delhi must be electric, CNG, or BS-VI compliant. The government is also targeting fast-growing logistics sectors. 'Aggregator fleets, delivery vehicles, and e-commerce logistics are growing faster than any other category,' Verma said. From January 1, 2026, only CNG or EVs can be added to these fleets — no new diesel or petrol vehicles will be permitted. 'These measures will be enforced through advanced surveillance systems and integrated command centres,' Verma said, stressing the importance of complementing technology with strong on-ground enforcement. 'We're working closely with enforcement agencies to ensure this is implemented properly.' Verma said the region is already beginning to see the results of these efforts. 'Since 2018, the number of good to moderate AQI days in Delhi has increased by 30%. Poor to severe days have reduced by nearly a quarter,' he said. Calling for continued collaboration, Verma said, 'Air pollution is a dynamic challenge that demands vigilance, innovation, and constant enforcement. CAQM is committed to bringing global best practices to India, striking a balance between present-day needs and a sustainable future.'
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Time of India
Cops rescue man after suicide threat sent to family
Jaipur: City police Thursday rescued a 34-year-old man who left his home on Sirsi Road after sending a video message to his family, indicating he intended to end his life. SHO (Bindayaka) Rajesh Verma said the man, identified as , was traced near Kanakpura railway station using digital surveillance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "His family informed us after receiving a disturbing video message from him. We tracked his location and reached in time to prevent any mishap," Verma told TOI. Singh reportedly made a similar suicide threat just a day earlier, which also caused distress to his family. "He is a habitual drinker and left home in a similar manner Wednesday," the officer said. Police said Singh has worked in private companies, but his current employment status is unclear. He was taken into custody under Section 170 of BNSS, which allows arrest to prevent commission of a cognisable offence.
