39K Ggm households depend on 261 diesel generators for power
Gurugram: The diesel generators that are considered to be one of the major sources of causing deadly pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) still continue to be operated in Gurugram.
Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the diesel generators had to banned in entire NCR from October 15. Extreme power deficit and in even worse situation complete dependence of residential societies on the generators on power supply have resulted in this not being implemented in Gururgam.
Despite receiving flak from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the district administration has shown reluctance in completely banning the gensets.
The Millennium Post has earlier reported of why Gurugram cannot afford to ban the diesel generators. The detail accessed from the officials from the state power only validates these claims further.
Over 39,000 households spread in the new sectors of 58-115 are being provided power by 261 diesel generators. The demand for power in these sectors is 82,6446 KVA but only 41,4700 KVA power is being supplied.
According to the senior officials, there are 16 builders that have still not paid their dues from the external development charge (EDC). This has resulted in the power department not setting up the infrastructure for the power supply. In a matter which is being heard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it is estimated that builders in Gururgam own the state government a whopping sum of Rs 15,000 crore.
A large number of residential societies being dependent only on the diesel generators for their power needs the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) questioned the Gururgam administration of why the occupancy certificate was provided to these builders.
It is estimated that 20,000 residential units were given the OC by the District Town and Country Planning (DTCP). Not only carelessness by the public authorities but the inability of Sectors 58-63 to cope up with increased power load is also resulting in the power cuts in these areas.
The state of power infrastructure can be gauged from the fact that even on October 21 which was the polling day the Palam Vihar area had a power cut of of over four hours.
"We have improved the situation of what it was earlier. We are in the process of revamping infrastructure so that the residents do not have to face with the problem of power shortages. There are also cases in which the private developers have to pay the sum of the external development charge so that we can set up the power infrastructure so far it has not been done," said a senior official from the state power department.
