Schedule II of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, prescribes standards of processing and treatment of solid waste including standards for emission from incinerators / thermal technologies in solid waste treatment and disposal facilities. It has been mandated that if the concentration of toxic metals in incineration ash exceeds the limits specified in the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, as amended from time to time, the ash is sent to the hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. 

Further, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued draft Guidelines on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration-based Waste-to-Energy Plants for public consultation. The Guidelines have separate sections on leachate management covering leachate collection and transfer to a dedicated Leachate Treatment Plant for systematic treatment before reuse or further processing. The Guidelines also have separate sections on bottom ash and fly ash management. In cases where, bottom ash and fly ash are found to be non-hazardous as per SWM Rules, 2016, modalities for recycling, reuse, disposal as applicable, have been provided. Separately, a draft report on Environmental Damage Cost Assessment (EDCA) has been prepared and placed in public domain for consultation.

Central Pollution Control Board has issued directions to all State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committee under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, on 12.08.2025 for installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) for self-surveillance of MSW incineration based Waste to Energy Plants (WTE). The State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committee have to ensure that all operational and upcoming MSW incineration based Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants within their jurisdiction install and operate Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for real-time monitoring and that all monitoring systems installed under this directive are connected in real-time to the respective SPCB/PCC's servers and the Central Pollution Control Board's Online Monitoring server within three months from the date of issuance of the direction.

For strengthening monitoring and compliance through self-regulatory mechanisms, CPCB has directed all 17 categories of highly polluting industries, since 2015, to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). The real-time values of environmental pollutants of the effluent and emissions are transmitted online to CPCB and concerned SPCB/PCC. In case value of pollutant parameter exceeds the prescribed environmental norms, an SMS alert is generated and sent to industrial unit and respective SPCB /PCC, so that corrective measures can be taken by the industry immediately and appropriate action can be taken by concerned SPCB/PCC in case of persistent violation. 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in consultation with the CPCB, has notified Guidelines for the Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, on 29th and 30th January, 2025, respectively. These guidelines establish a uniform consent mechanism introducing streamlined, single-step procedure for obtaining consent and authorization. The guidelines prescribe timelines for grant or refusal of consent within the specified period  based upon categorization of units into Red, Orange of Green Category.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was established for better coordination, research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The CAQM issues Directions and Advisories and imposition of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for air quality management in Delhi and NCR.  

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 to improve air quality in 130 cities in 24 States/ UTs of the country through implementation of National, State and City level clean air action plans. NCAP includes Greater Mumbai and Vasai-Virar city of Palghar District. The City level clean air action plans target air pollution sources like soil & road dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning, Construction & Demolition activities, and industrial pollution. The programme also leverages mobilisation of resources through convergence of various schemes of Central & State Governments as well as resources of State Govts. / UT administration, Municipal Corporations and other developmental authorities for implementation of action plans.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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VM/SK

(Lok Sabha US Q1190)

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