CAQM tightens norms for industries to curb pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Saturday proposed a stricter particulate matter (PM) emission limit of 50 milligrams per normal cubic metre (mg/Nm³) for industries across Delhi-NCR, replacing the earlier 80 mg/Nm³ standard notified in June 2022.

The pollution watchdog said that it had considered recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) based on a study conducted by IIT Kanpur and the findings of a technical committee constituted by the CPCB. The committee concluded that a PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ is both technically achievable and environmentally necessary.

“This revised standard will reduce emissions from industries and contribute to the abatement of air pollution from industrial sources, benefiting people residing in the vicinity of such units and improving the overall air quality of the region,” read the CAQM statement. Industrial stack emissions are one of the major contributors to elevated PM levels in Delhi-NCR. They also play a role in secondary particulate formation, and hence adversely impact regional air quality.

As per the statutory direction, “The maximum permissible limit of PM emissions from 17 categories of highly polluting industries identified by the CPCB, Red Category (medium and large) air-polluting industries, food and food processing units, textile industries with boilers/thermic fluid heaters, and metal industries with furnaces operating in Delhi-NCR shall be 50 mg/Nm³.”

The revised standard will come into effect for large and medium industries from August 1 while the remaining industries must comply from October 1. The new limit will not apply to industrial units that are already bound by a PM emission standard lower than 50 mg/Nm³ under any existing consent, direction, or statutory provision.

“The NCR State governments, the government of NCT of Delhi, the Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, U.P., and Rajasthan, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order, particularly adherence to the prescribed compliance timelines,” said the CAQM.