Government event exempted from genset ban

An environmental authority on Tuesday allowed an upcoming government event to use diesel generators that are otherwise banned in Delhi as the air quality crossed dangerous levels ahead of winters.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) exempted the November 2-4 event of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries from the ban considering its additional power demand of 30 MW, which it needs to fulfil using DG set at the India Gate lawn.

"The event is given exemption to generate power from diesel sets because the venue is not supportive of continuous power supply," Usmaan Naseem, an EPCA member, told IANS.

He added that the Ministry had assured the EPCA that it would try to reduce its power requirement.

Ahead of Diwali, the EPCA started implementing the "very poor" and "severe" categories of its Graded Response Action Plan -- which includes more strict measures including the diesel generator ban -- to curb air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.

The environment body, formed by the central government following Supreme Court orders in 1998, announced the decision and said the "very poor" and "severe" categories of the action plan would remain in force till March 15 next year.

The EPCA has also directed the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to check on construction dust.

--IANS

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