Latest news with #CommissionforAirQualityManagement
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
CAQM sets up cell in Mohali for paddy residue management
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has set up a permanent cell in Mohali's SAS Nagar to strengthen year-round monitoring and coordination for effective management of paddy stubble in Punjab and Haryana. Earlier, a temporary Paddy Stubble Management Cell operated in Chandigarh from October 1 to November 30, 2024, during the critical residue burning period. (ANI) In a statement, the CAQM said the new facility at the Kisan Vikas Chamber in Kalkat Bhawan will oversee the preparation of plans, engagement with farmers and other stakeholders and monitoring of the supply chain to ensure continuous and assured use of paddy straw by end-users. 'The cell will now operate round the year right from the start of preparation of plans, engagement with farmers and all other stakeholders related to effective paddy stubble management,' the commission said. Apart from stubble management, the cell will also monitor air pollution aspects in identified thermal power plants and coordinate the co-firing of biomass. It will inspect and track air quality-related issues across all sectors in NCR areas of Haryana, particularly those farther from Delhi. The facility is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating efforts with the state agriculture departments of Punjab and Haryana, field enforcement teams and flying squads, especially during the peak paddy harvesting and stubble burning season. Earlier, a temporary Paddy Stubble Management Cell operated in Chandigarh from October 1 to November 30, 2024, during the critical residue burning period. Recognising that stubble management, particularly ex-situ use of paddy straw, requires continuous effort, the CAQM had urged the Punjab government to provide infrastructure and logistical support for sustained planning and execution.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Top Court To Hear Delhi Government's Plea On Ban Of End-Of-Life Vehicles
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a crucial petition on Monday filed by the Delhi government, challenging the blanket ban on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), older vehicles operating in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The case pertains to the enforcement of a rule that prohibits diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from running on Delhi roads, a directive that has impacted thousands of vehicle owners across the region. The Delhi government's plea seeks a review of the 2018 Supreme Court order, arguing that the age-based ban lacks scientific backing and disproportionately affects middle-class citizens who rely on these vehicles for essential and limited use. The petition calls for a more nuanced, emission-based regulatory framework that considers the actual environmental impact of each vehicle, rather than relying solely on age as the determining factor. In its submission, the Delhi government has urged the top court to direct the Central Government or the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study to assess the real-world impact of such vehicles on air quality. The plea contends that many older vehicles, particularly those compliant with BS-VI (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms or used infrequently, emit negligible pollutants and should not be subject to a blanket ban. 'The current approach mandates collective compliance without distinguishing between highly polluting vehicles and well-maintained, low-use ones,' the petition states, highlighting the disproportionate burden on lower and middle-income citizens. The issue has gained renewed urgency following the nationwide implementation of BS-VI norms, widely regarded as the cleanest vehicle emission standards introduced in India. The Delhi government argues that numerous vehicles affected by the ban are either BS-VI compliant or well-maintained, making their continued use environmentally safe. The petition also underscores the socio-economic consequences of the ban, pointing out that families dependent on older vehicles for daily commuting or livelihood now face hardship due to the inflexible policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Categorised villages, satellite alerts, penalties in Punjab's new plan against farm fires
1 2 Patiala: Having struggled to contain stubble burning last year, Punjab govt has issued now rolled out an enhanced standard operating procedure (SOP) that will leverage satellite surveillance, stricter enforcement of penalties, and field-level accountability. The renewed push follows high-level consultations with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and aligns with directions from the Supreme Court. The state govt has instructed all district administrations, police departments, and agriculture officials to intensify efforts ahead of the upcoming paddy harvest season. Stubble burning will next take place in the region from Oct to Nov, the period when farmers harvest paddy and sow wheat. District administrations have been directed to categorise villages based on past stubble burning incidents: High-risk villages with more than 30 incidents, moderate-risk with 10–30 incidents, and low-risk with 1–10 incidents. Meetings involving deputy commissioners, chief agriculture officers, and other stakeholders have been mandated to conclude by Aug 1, with detailed documentation and strategy formulation for targeted interventions. The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), in collaboration with ISRO, use satellite imagery to detect active fire locations. Upon detection, field functionaries are notified via SMS, including GPS coordinates and Google Maps links. State environment functionaries observed that many cases were being reported in the districts as 'no crop burning found'. However, as part of following a recent notification issued by Punjab secretary (science, technology and environment) Priyank Bharti, 'no crop burning found' cases must now be personally verified by senior officers such as DCs, ADCs, SDMs, or CAQM observers. Dismissal of satellite alerts now requires geo-tagged evidence, GPS data within 350 metres, and signed verification reports. Else the case be treated as fire incident and all action as per instructions of Supreme Court/NGT/CAQM be taken, reads the notification. The renewed crackdown comes after Punjab witnessed widespread stubble burning in 2024. During a high-level meeting on July 3, CAQM chairperson underscored the need for "zero tolerance" and called for rigorous enforcement backed by technology and community engagement. "This is a collective effort—strict enforcement, farmer awareness, and technology will drive change,' said the special director general of police (law and order). BOXES FIR for not paying fine Farmers found burning stubble will face penalties: Rs 5000 for less than 2 acres, Rs 10,000 for 2–5 acres, and Rs 30,000 for over 5 acres. Enforcement timelines stipulate detection to field verification within 48 hours, penalty issuance within seven working days, and recovery of fines within 15 days. Repeat offenders and non-compliant individuals may face FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police authorities have been directed to maintain a separate log of such FIRs. Follow-up on penalties A PPCB official said govt staffers will now also have to follow up on post-penalty procedures for payment compliance, update digital records upon payment receipt, and conduct routine audits to ensure transparency and adherence. "Officials will be trained in satellite imagery interpretation, verification protocols, and penalty imposition procedures," said the official. WHO WILL DO WHAT Revenue dept | To handle field verification, challan issuance, and fine recovery Agriculture dept | Officials to manage farmer outreach and promotion of eco-friendly practices Punjab Pollution Control Board | To oversee monitoring, reporting, and incident validation; Punjab Remote Sensing Centre | To provide imagery analysis and technical support MSID:: 122920492 413 |
NDTV
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
"Pollution Should Be The Criteria": Minister On Old Vehicles' Ban In Delhi
New Delhi: The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its 2018 order, which bans diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the Delhi-NCR region. The petition argues that the age-based ban is outdated and unfairly targets even roadworthy, non-polluting vehicles, hitting middle-class owners the hardest. The plea comes amid growing backlash over the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) July order to stop fuel supply to vehicles that fall under the "end-of-life" category. That order has now been deferred till November 1 after strong public opposition and intervention by the Delhi government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the development, saying the situation has changed significantly since 2018. "The situation of 2025 is totally different from 2018, and there are many modern technologies available now. We want to apprise the honourable court, and that's why we have filed the review," Mr Sirsa told NDTV. Mr Sirsa added, "If a vehicle is polluting, it should be banned, regardless of whether it's five years old or fifteen. Pollution should be the criteria, not the age of the vehicle." The petition warns that continuing with the 2018 ruling will lead to even BS-VI compliant vehicles being taken off the roads in the coming years, without scientific justification. It questions why even BS-IV vehicles that pass Pollution Under Control (PUC) tests are being sidelined and calls for decisions to be based on updated emissions data. The government has urged the court to order a comprehensive, scientific study on how older vehicles contribute to pollution, rather than relying on blanket age-based rules. The petition also cited that other countries like Japan, the US, and those in the EU do not ban vehicles solely based on age. Instead, they rely on regular testing and real-time emissions data to decide if a vehicle should remain on the road. The debate has struck a chord with vehicle owners across NCR, many of whom say they've suffered despite owning well-maintained cars. Naresh Malik, a South Delhi resident, shared his ordeal, "I had to sell my Corolla Altis, which had only run 34,000 km in 15 years, at a throwaway price. It was in perfect condition. Today's cars can easily last 2.5 lakh kilometres. Why are we judged just on age?" "If the aim is to reduce pollution, the focus should be on traffic congestion and stricter PUC (Pollution Under Control) checks, not arbitrary rules. I'm hopeful the court will understand the practical concerns of people like us, especially the financial burden we face," he added. The CAQM's July 1 directive to stop refuelling ELV vehicles had triggered widespread public outcry. Minister Sirsa wrote to the commission asking for a pause, and Lt Governor VK Saxena later advised the government to take the matter to the Supreme Court. The case is now listed for hearing on Monday, and its outcome could impact thousands of vehicle owners across the capital region, as well as future national policies on vehicle retirement and pollution control.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Delhi govt urges Supreme Court to review 2018 order banning older vehicles
The Delhi government has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking a review of its 2018 order banning 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR). It argues that the directive lacks a scientific basis and imposes disproportionate hardship on residents, according to a report by Bar and Bench. The plea contends that the ban was not supported by any environmental impact study and has become outdated in light of stricter pollution controls introduced in recent years. This comes shortly after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) agreed to defer a related policy, fuel restrictions on end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, until November 1, 2025. Delhi fuel ban deferred after public pushback On July 9, the CAQM, a central authority tasked with air quality regulation in Delhi-NCR, decided to postpone the implementation of fuel restrictions on EOL vehicles. The original directive, scheduled to take effect from July 1, had prohibited fuel stations from supplying fuel to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, regardless of their state of registration. Delhi government called age-based vehicle ban 'arbitrary and outdated' In its latest application, the Delhi government has pointed to several key changes implemented after the Court's 2018 decision, including the nationwide adoption of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards in 2020. These newer standards, it stated, required vehicles to meet much stricter pollution norms. 'BS-VI engines are significantly less polluting,' the government argued, warning that allowing the 2018 order to continue would force roadworthy and compliant vehicles off the roads without scientific justification. The application also highlighted the strengthened Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification regime, the wider availability of cleaner fuels, and the growing presence of electric vehicles as evidence of a more evolved regulatory environment. Ban causes hardship on vehicle owners The government noted that many Delhi residents drive infrequently and maintain their vehicles in compliance with current norms, yet were still being penalised based on vehicle age alone. It also flagged the impact on the second-hand car market, which it said remained the only realistic option for many low-and middle-income families to access personal transportation. Delhi govt asks for scientific assessment on vehicle ban The Delhi government urged the Court to reconsider the blanket age-based ban and called for a scientific review of its effectiveness. Specifically, it asked that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) be directed to study: The actual environmental benefit of an age-based vehicle ban. The fairness and feasibility of a blanket restriction across all vehicle categories and technologies. Whether such a policy meaningfully contributed to air quality improvements in NCR compared to emissions-based strategies. It also cited global examples—such as the European Union, Japan, and the United States—where no age-based bans are in place, and where pollution is addressed through emissions testing, regulation, and urban planning. The court was scheduled to hear the application on Monday, along with two similar petitions filed by private individuals challenging the age-based restrictions.
