JAMMU: The government has taken a slew of measures to control air pollution in the Khrew and Khonmoh areas of Pulwama, reiterating its commitment towards safeguarding public health and ensuring environmentally sustainable industrial development through strict monitoring and enforcement.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, Minister for Forest, Ecology, Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, today informed the Legislative Assembly that Cement industries operating in the Union Territory have been directed by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC) to install Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) for regular monitoring of air quality. Two CAAQMS have been installed in Khrew and Khonmoh, respectively, for continuous monitoring, he added.
He informed that Cement Industries, with a production capacity of 200 Tonnes Per day (TPD) have installed an Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS), and real-time data generated is being uploaded on the Central Pollution Control Board.
He added that the Cement plants have been advised to install advanced emission control devices, including Automatic Pulse Jet Bag Filters, Reverse Air Bag Filters and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) to minimise air pollution. To scientifically assess the air quality scenario, the J&KPCC has assigned a study on air quality in Khrew and Khonmoh areas to the University of Kashmir, he added.
Regarding the grant of mining lease, the Minister said that the government has granted 9 mining leases in the Khrew–Wuyan area of Pulwama district, of which, four are operational and functioning strictly in accordance with the approved Mining Plans, Environmental Clearances (EC), Consents to Operate (CTO) and other statutory provisions. The remaining five (05) mining leases are non-operational due to want of EC and CTO, he added.
The Minister said that all leases had been granted under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Rules and are made operational only after obtaining necessary No-Objection Certificates from the concerned stakeholders.
In order to further curb pollution, Javed Rana informed the House that J&K PCC imposed a moratorium on establishment of new air-polluting industries in Khrew and Khonmoh areas.
The moratorium shall remain in force for cement plants, stone crushers, hot mix plants, brick kilns and mining activities until the annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) falls below 100 or the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) falls below 60, he apprised the House.
The Forest Minister said that the J&K PCC has advised the concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure proper macadamization and maintenance of roads, transportation of cement in sealed conditions, covered transportation of raw materials and crushed material without overloading besides regular sprinkling of water on roads.
Regarding the use of Pet Coke, the government clarified that its usage is being regulated under the Jammu and Kashmir Pet Coke and Furnace Oil Policy. He added that the Industries using Pet Coke are required to obtain authorization under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems with sulphur removal efficiency of more than 90 percent.