Chirag Gupta
Patna: A high-level meeting was chaired by Dr. Prem Kumar, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bihar, to review the Bihar State Pollution Control Board’s efforts in pollution control and environmental protection. The meeting, attended by Board Chairman Dr. D.K. Shukla and Member Secretary Neeraj Narayan, focused on the state’s air quality and ongoing measures to curb pollution.
The review highlighted that while levels of fine dust particles like PM2.5 and PM10 remain above standard, gaseous pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO₂) are well within national ambient air quality standards. A decrease in PM2.5 levels compared to last year was reported, reflecting ongoing improvements under the minister’s guidance. The board is actively enforcing measures to limit the rise of air pollutants, including the National Framework for Sustainable Air (NFSA).
Discussions included a recent NITI Aayog study on air pollution from thermal power plants, which noted that SO₂ levels in ambient air are below national standards. The study also emphasised the installation of advanced pollution control technology (ICT) in thermal power plants, mandated for completion by 2026. Progress on ICT installations in six National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plants in Bihar was reviewed, with ongoing efforts to transition thermal plants to cleaner technologies.
The board reported significant progress in promoting cleaner technologies across industries. All brick kilns in the state now operate with environmentally friendly methods, and diesel-driven vehicles are using low-sulphur diesel to reduce emissions. Industries are being encouraged to adopt cleaner fuels like ICT/ICCC to improve air quality.
Efforts to raise public awareness about air pollution’s harmful effects continue, along with close cooperation with stakeholders. The Bihar State Pollution Control Board reiterated its commitment to enhancing air quality and ensuring sustainable environmental practices across the state.
