With a view to curb the high air pollution, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (“DPCC”) has notified a ban on the operation of Electricity Generator Set(s) of all capacities, running on Diesel / Petrol/ Kerosene in the NCT of Delhi with effect from 15th October, 2020.
However, the following essential / emergency services have been exempted from above-mentioned ban:
• Medical Purposes (Hospitals / Nursing Homes/Health Care Facilities);
• Elevators (Lifts) / Escalators;
• Railway Services / Railway Stations;
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation services including its Trains & Metro Stations;
• Airport & Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBTs);
• Data Center run by National Information Centre.
Note: The concerned DMs, Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCs of Municipal Corporations, Secretary of NDMC and CEO Delhi Cantonment Board have to comply with the above-mentioned direction and submit daily action taken report to “DPCC” on e-mail ID: msdpcc@nic.in
The power distribution companies are also directed to ensure uninterrupted electric power supply to the consumers.
In case of non-compliance with the above-mentioned Directions action will be initiated as per the provisions of the Air Act, 1981.
Background:
With a view to ensure that air pollution levels does not rise further during winter, the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority for the National Capital Region (“EPCA”), has issued directions to the Chief Secretaries of the State Governments of National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to ensure implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (“GRAP”), which was notified on 12th January, 2017. EPCA had directed ban on the use of DG sets (barring for essential and emergency services) in Delhi and other vicinity towns of Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad and Gurgaon in Haryana.
Delhi faces grave air pollution particularly in winter and level of pollutants like Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5 and PM10) goes much beyond the prescribed standards for Ambient Air Quality and operation of Electricity Generator Sets run on Diesel / Petrol / Kerosene has been identified as one of the sources of air pollution in Delhi.
Source: Delhi Pollution Control Committee
