The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has made the decision to stop issuing new permits for establishing hard or soft coke manufacturing units in Dhanbad starting from October. This move has been taken by the authorities to address the poor air quality in the coal-rich district.
Surveys conducted by both government and private entities have identified Dhanbad as one of the worst districts in terms of air quality in the country. Currently, around 45-50 plants out of the total 100 units are operational in the district. This restriction will remain in effect until further notice.
According to real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Dhanbad’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded as 195 (moderate) on Monday. A moderate AQI level indicates breathing discomfort for individuals with lung, asthma, and heart conditions.
Chairman of JSPCB, Sashikar Samanta, stated that starting from October 1, the state pollution control board will not grant consent to establish new hard or soft coke firms. This means that no new units will be allowed. However, existing units can continue operating if they comply with the pollution control criteria set by the relevant authorities. Samanta also mentioned that those interested in setting up such units can explore alternative locations in other districts.
Samanta emphasized that Dhanbad’s air quality remains a critical concern due to various factors, including the transportation of mined minerals, vehicle emissions, and industrial waste.
A report titled “Airpocalypse IV,” published by Greenpeace in 2020, revealed that Jharia in Dhanbad ranked at the top among the 231 surveyed spots in the country with a PM10 level of 322 µg/m3, while Dhanbad district headquarters stood second with 264 µg/m3. The national standard for PM10 is 60 µg/m3, while the World Health Organization recommends a limit of 20 µg/m3.
Samanta mentioned that the JSPCB, along with the district administration, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), and other major industries, have been implementing various initiatives to improve air quality.