The National Green Tribunal issued a notice to the central government over the continued air pollution crisis in Delhi. Its main reasons for issuing such notices are emissions from thermal power plants and adverse weather conditions. This move has followed a suo motu cognizance of a media report that referenced a study from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, better known as CREA.
The CREA study highlighted that thermal power plants in the National Capital Region (NCR) emit 16 times more air pollution compared to stubble burning. The report further stated that the NCR’s coal-fired thermal power plants release 281 kilotons of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) annually, while crop burning accounts for 17.8 kilotons of SO₂ through the combustion of 8.9 million tons of stubble. These emissions have significantly impacted Delhi’s air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recently reaching an alarming level of 488, categorized as “severe plus.”
The NGT order also pointed out that unfavorable weather conditions in Delhi have only exacerbated the pollution crisis—the winds are calm and the temperature is falling. These conditions, popularly known as cold air traps, stop the dispersal of pollutants and trap dust, smoke, and harmful particles in the air. The tribunal further highlighted the potential violation of environmental norms, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment Protection Act.
The tribunal has issued notice to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; the Central Pollution Control Board; the Delhi Pollution Control Committee; and state pollution control boards of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. As a supplement to this notice, CAQM has been added to the list as a respondent to address worsening air quality in the region.
The intervention by the NGT underscores the urgency of addressing emissions from thermal power plants and the implementation of measures to mitigate air pollution in Delhi. This crisis, both caused by human activities and climatic conditions, calls for a comprehensive response to protect public health and ensure compliance with environmental laws.
Source: PTI