5 NCR states told to figure out viable ways to stop crop burning

NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed Delhi and its neighbouring

NCR states

to convene a

meeting

next Tuesday to find out

workable solutions

to stop crop burning by farmers in these areas.

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A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to formulate an action plan on transporting stubble to power plants where it could be used as fuel. NGT also asked the states to find other solutions to crop residue and inform the tribunal about the options.

The directive came on a day when the capital’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the third consecutive day, hovering in the lower limit of the range on Wednesday with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 320. It was 326 on Monday and 324 on Tuesday.

The meeting on November 28 will be attended by the agriculture secretaries and principal secretaries, and the additional secretaries for energy from the five states and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). Senior scientists will also be present to give technical inputs.

After NTPC informed the bench that it could use the crop residue in the pellet form in its power plants, but not directly, as a source of fuel, NGT told the states to discuss whether each state should have its own palletisation plant. The states will also consider if they can call private players to set up such plants.

The tribunal also wants them to formulate a mechanism for transporting crop residue and submit a list of thermal plants or those that can use biomass.

The pollution levels have remained stable despite a fall in temperature as high surface winds allowed particulate matters to disperse more freely. However, air quality will deteriorate gradually over the next few days as the moisture content will increase and temperature will drop across NCR, said experts. Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, two degrees below normal for the season.

Delhi’s average PM2.5 level, according to SAFAR, was recorded at 154 micrograms per cubic metre — a slight rise from Tuesday. PM10 was 249 as compared to 235 on Tuesday. Both are also likely to rise gradually over the next three days. Delhi has seen a gradual drop in its minimum temperature over the past few days, falling below the 10-degree mark once again on Wednesday. Although the morning is likely to be misty on Thursday, it won’t affect visibility, said the Met department.


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