<p>The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued directions to ban the use of coal in industrial, domestic and other miscellaneous applications in the entire Delhi-NCR region from January 1, 2023.</p>.<p>However, the use of low-sulphur coal in thermal power plants has been exempted from the ban.</p>.<p>Around 1.7 million tonnes of coal is used annually in industrial applications in NCR, with about 1.4 million tonnes being consumed in six major industrial districts alone.</p>.<p>In an order issued on June 3, the CAQM said the ban on the use of coal will come in force with effect from October 1 in areas having PNG infrastructure and supply and from January 1, 2023 in areas where the PNG supply is still not available.</p>.<p>“In full effect, the use of coal as fuel shall be banned across NCR with effect from January 1, 2023,” the panel said.</p>.<p>The panel had earlier invited suggestions from the general public and experts in the field to find a permanent solution to the air pollution problem in Delhi-NCR.</p>.<p>A large number of suggestions were related to the banning of coal. The CAQM then constituted an expert group to examine and deliberate upon all such suggestions and proposals.</p>.<p>In its report, the expert group also strongly recommended phasing out heavily polluting fossil fuels like coal and mandating cleaner fuels to the extent possible. </p>
<p>The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued directions to ban the use of coal in industrial, domestic and other miscellaneous applications in the entire Delhi-NCR region from January 1, 2023.</p>.<p>However, the use of low-sulphur coal in thermal power plants has been exempted from the ban.</p>.<p>Around 1.7 million tonnes of coal is used annually in industrial applications in NCR, with about 1.4 million tonnes being consumed in six major industrial districts alone.</p>.<p>In an order issued on June 3, the CAQM said the ban on the use of coal will come in force with effect from October 1 in areas having PNG infrastructure and supply and from January 1, 2023 in areas where the PNG supply is still not available.</p>.<p>“In full effect, the use of coal as fuel shall be banned across NCR with effect from January 1, 2023,” the panel said.</p>.<p>The panel had earlier invited suggestions from the general public and experts in the field to find a permanent solution to the air pollution problem in Delhi-NCR.</p>.<p>A large number of suggestions were related to the banning of coal. The CAQM then constituted an expert group to examine and deliberate upon all such suggestions and proposals.</p>.<p>In its report, the expert group also strongly recommended phasing out heavily polluting fossil fuels like coal and mandating cleaner fuels to the extent possible. </p>