Emissions from vehicles using cleaner Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) grade fuel in Delhi and Gurugram, are significantly higher than what they are meant to be on paper, new research has found.
The study showed that some readings breached BS VI emissions standards by as much as 5-14.2 times for some types of goods vehicles and at least four times higher for taxis. Research pointed out that the emissions certifications system and its enforcement is woefully inadequate and that pollution control obligations may have remained only on paper, the HT reported.
The report said even cars running on CNG, once considered a green alternative, on average emitted 1.5 times higher pollution than they were meant to. CNG light goods vehicles were found to be the biggest emitter of NOx ((nitrous oxides), CO (carbon monoxide), hydrocarbon (HC), and particulate matter (PM) within the BS VI fleet in Delhi. Across all kinds of fleet and segments, BS IV CNG buses were the top pollutant.
Centre’s draft rule propose secretary-level officers to resolve air, water pollution complaints
The Centre released draft rules that propose appointing adducting officers to resolve complaints related to air and water pollution/ Centre proposes to appoint such officers in states and Union territories to dispose issues faster than court proceedings, the ET reported.
It will appoint adjudicating officers either on its own or on request by state govts and UT administrations from among their secretary-rank officers. The adjudicating officers may be provided with requisite manpower assistance, office space and technical assistance by the central govt/state govt/UT for discharging their duties.
The newspaper quoted government officials saying that individuals and organisations could appeal to the National Green Tribunal (green court) if they are not satisfied with the orders, including the penalty.
Punjab government failed to treat waste, fined ₹1,000 cr
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the Punjab government to pay ₹1,026 crore as environmental compensation for failing to manage legacy waste and untreated sewage.
In the order dated July 25, the NGT directed the Punjab chief secretary to deposit the amount with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within a month and to submit a compliance report, DTE reported.
In September 2022, the green court slapped a fine of ₹2,180 crore on Punjab for failing to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage and manage solid waste properly. But the Punjab government has only deposited ₹100 crore so far, leading to further scrutiny by the green tribunal, officials familiar with the matter said, reported the HT.
Microplastics in sugar and salt: Green court serves notice to central pollution control board
The National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of research by Toxic Links that found micro plastics in all sugar and salt samples and directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to file its response regarding salt and sugar brands in India that contain microplastics. The Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Indian Council of Medical Research and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India were also directed by the court to file their reply at least one week before the next date of hearing on December 3, 2024.
The news report related to a study that revealed the presence of microplastics in all Indian salt and sugar brands, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments. The study tested 10 types of salt, including table salt, rock salt, sea salt and local raw salt, as well as five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets. The highest levels of microplastics were found in iodised salt, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films, the report indicated.
US city offers reusable cups with trackable QR code
The city of Petaluma in California launched a reusable plastic cup project that aims to cut down on rampant plastic waste. The new reusable cups bear the slogan “Sip, Return, Repeat”. Customers who need their lattes to go can take the purple cups with them, then return them to one of 60 bins scattered across downtown Petaluma when they’ve finished. Each cup comes with a trackable QR code to help monitor results, the Guardian reported.
According to the report, 30 businesses opted into the programme in downtown Petaluma, a wine country city about 40 miles (60km) north of San Francisco.
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