The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has instigated a ban on the usage of coal for industrial, domestic, and other applications in the Delhi-NCR region starting from 1st January 2023. The aim of this measure is to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions in Delhi NCR, one of the most polluted capital cities in the world.
The Benefits of the Coal Ban
The prohibition of coal usage is expected to save about 1.7 million tonnes of coal every year. Additionally, it will also decrease the presence of harmful pollutants such as Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), CO2, and Carbon Monoxide (CO). However, thermal power plants in NCR are given permission to use low-sulphur coal despite the ban.
The decision is expected to give a significant boost to the use of natural gas in NCR. According to the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell, the average global consumption of natural gas per person is 496 cubic meters, compared to India’s consumption of just 43 cu m.
Previous Measures to Fight Air Pollution
Prior to this, the CAQM had been focusing on promoting the use of clean fuels like piped natural gas. Moreover, the Supreme Court ordered the government to find a permanent solution for the recurring air pollution problem in Delhi and other NCR areas in December 2021. In response, the CAQM assembled an Expert Group to study all possible solutions. The Expert Group suggested phasing out heavily polluting fossil fuels like coal and mandating cleaner fuels wherever possible.
Other Related Initiatives
In an effort to combat air pollution, several initiatives have been implemented, some of which include the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal Air Quality Index. This index was developed to measure eight different pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone, and Carbon Monoxide.
In addition, measures like promoting the usage of BS-VI vehicles, encouraging the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs), and implementing the Odd-Even Policy as an emergency measure were taken. The government has also provided subsidies to farmers for purchasing a Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine.
Key Facts about Coal
Coal is one of the most abundant fossil fuels in the world. It is utilized as a domestic fuel, in industries such as iron and steel, steam engines, and for generating electricity. The coal we use today was formed millions of years ago from giant ferns and swamps that got buried under layers of earth. Hence it is often referred to as Buried Sunshine.
China, India, the US, Indonesia, and Australia are the leading coal producers worldwide. In India, major coal-producing areas include Raniganj, Jharia, Dhanbad, and Bokaro in Jharkhand. Coal is categorized into four ranks: anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite, based on the types and amounts of carbon it contains and the amount of heat energy it can produce.
Previous Years Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the 2010 UPSC Civil Services Examination, a pertinent question asked was about the causes of acid rain. The correct answer was that Sulfuric or Nitric Acid causes acid rain, which is emitted into the atmosphere as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX).
Moreover, in the 2019 examination, the question was about the gases released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue. The answer is that burning biomass releases Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX).
