Industries must transition to environment friendly fuels

Why in news:

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recently issued a pollution control order
• As per the order, all industries in Rajasthan that are within the National Capital Region (NCR) must transition to PNG or biomass fuel by September 30 this year.
• In case of failure to meet the said deadline, the concerned industries will be shut down.

Key Points:

• The order also applies to all industries in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh that are within the National Capital Region (NCR)
• The pollution control panel said the decision was taken after conversations with companies, associations and the state governments concerned.
• A large number of associations, federations and individuals submitted before the Commission their requests for permitting use of biomass fuels in addition to PNG [piped natural gas], citing that biomass-based fuels are much more environment friendly than fossil fuels like HSD [high-speed diesel] and coal.
• Industries in Delhi have already shifted to cleaner fuels, including PNG, the panel said in its order to the three states.
• Till the deadline, industries could meanwhile utilise only fuels approved for industrial operations by the respective state governments, said officials aware of the matter.
• The emissions from industries using polluting fuels like coal, diesel, etc., create an adverse impact on air quality in the NCR and shifting of industries to PNG and cleaner fuels has always been a priority for CAQM.
• Apart from that, open burning of biomass is also one of the major causes for air pollution in NCR.
• Once the transition is made, not only will it minimise the impact of polluting fuels in NCR in contributing to air pollution, it will also ensure proper utilization of biomass for farmers.
• All industries in the NCR running on coal, if shifted to PNG or biomass fuels in conjunction with Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD), would result in a remarkable decline in biomass burning across different regions of NCR and adjoining areas, thereby improving the air quality.