Govt Taking Slew of Measures to Curb Air Pollution: Javed Rana _Moratorium Imposed on New Polluting Units in Khrew–Khonmoh_

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

JAMMU FEBRUARY 04:-The government has rolled out a comprehensive set of measures to rein in air pollution in the Khrew and Khonmoh areas of Pulwama district, reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health and promoting environmentally sustainable industrial development through stringent monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

Replying to a query raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi in the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana informed the House that cement industries operating in Jammu & Kashmir have been directed by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC) to install Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) to enable round-the-clock monitoring of air quality parameters.

He said that two such monitoring stations have already been installed, one each in Khrew and Khonmoh, for continuous assessment of ambient air quality.

The Minister further stated that cement plants with a production capacity of 200 tonnes per day (TPD) have installed Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), with real-time emission data being directly uploaded to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal for regulatory oversight and transparency.

To further reduce industrial emissions, Rana informed the House that cement units have been advised to install advanced pollution control equipment, including Automatic Pulse Jet Bag Filters, Reverse Air Bag Filters and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs).

These devices are aimed at significantly curbing particulate matter and other harmful emissions. He added that, in order to scientifically assess the prevailing air quality scenario, the J&K PCC has commissioned a detailed air quality study in the Khrew and Khonmoh areas to the University of Kashmir.

On the issue of mining leases, the Minister said that the government has granted nine mining leases in the Khrew–Wuyan belt of Pulwama district.

Of these, four leases are currently operational and are functioning strictly in compliance with approved Mining Plans, Environmental Clearances (EC), Consents to Operate (CTO) and other statutory requirements.

The remaining five leases are non-operational due to the absence of mandatory EC and CTO approvals, he clarified.
Rana emphasized that all mining leases have been granted in accordance with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and relevant rules, and are permitted to operate only after obtaining all requisite No-Objection Certificates from concerned departments and stakeholders.

As an additional pollution-control measure, the Minister informed the House that the J&K PCC has imposed a moratorium on the establishment of new air-polluting industries in the Khrew and Khonmoh areas.

The moratorium applies to cement plants, stone crushers, hot mix plants, brick kilns and mining activities, and will remain in force until the annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 100 or the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) falls below 60.

The Minister also said that the J&K PCC has issued advisories to concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure proper macadamization and maintenance of roads, transportation of cement in sealed conditions, covered movement of raw materials and crushed material without overloading, and regular sprinkling of water on roads to suppress dust emissions.

Clarifying the government’s position on the use of petroleum coke (Pet Coke), Rana stated that its usage is being strictly regulated under the Jammu and Kashmir Pet Coke and Furnace Oil Policy.

He added that industries using Pet Coke are required to obtain authorization under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, and mandatorily install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems with sulphur removal efficiency exceeding 90 percent.