Six coal-based thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas were found non-compliant with mandatory biomass co-firing targets for 2024-25 and recommended for environmental compensation, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In its reply filed before the NGT on October 6, the CPCB said a committee constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the performance of 11 thermal power plants and identified six as non-compliant with the prescribed biomass co-firing requirements. The committee subsequently recommended environmental compensation for all six plants under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023.
The biomass co-firing requirement is intended to create an additional avenue for utilising agricultural residue, including paddy straw, which is otherwise frequently burnt in fields after harvesting. The policy is also aimed at reducing air pollution associated with crop-residue burning in the region.
The committee comprising representatives of CAQM, the Central Electricity Authority, the ministry of power’s SAMARTH initiative and CPCB, held meetings on June 13, July 31 and August 26, 2025, and January 19 and March 20, 2026, besides conducting a personal hearing on September 22, 2025, according to the CPCB. The Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, notified by the Union environment ministry on July 11, 2023, require coal-based thermal power plants located in the national capital region and adjoining areas to use a minimum 5% blend of pellets or briquettes made from crop residue along with coal.
And their written and oral submissions, along with relevant data, were examined, according to the reply the six plants were given personal hearings.
