Ggn could soon phase out diesel generators

In order to curb spiralling levels of air pollution in Gurugram, generators sets running on diesel could be phased out and replaced with CNG-run gensets.

The move will be adopted under graded actions system. Various measures are being taken under this system by public agencies on the suggestions of the Supreme Court appointed body Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to reduce air pollution in the National Capital Region.

A reply from an RTI query recently revealed that there are over 10,000 diesel gensets operational in the city.

Besides several industrial units, many households are also forced to rely on diesel-run gensets due to frequent power cuts in their areas.

Air quality levels in Gurugram continue to deteriorate even during the monsoon, while neighbouring Delhi – one of the world's most polluted cities – is showing marked improvement.

Besides high concentration of particulate matter, such as PM10 and PM2.5, high presence of other gases like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide are proving to be equally detrimental to the respiratory health of Gurugram's residents.

In addition to usage of diesel gensets, massive congestion along traffic intersections, dust produced from large-scale construction activities and open burning of garbage are among major factors for rising pollution.

Rising air pollution in Gurugram has also led to increase in number of asthma patients in the city.

Recent data from the District Health Department shows that over the last three years, the number of asthma patients in the Millennium City has increased three fold. In 2015, a test conducted on 100 district public officials showed that over 57 per cent of bureaucrats had lung impairment disorder.

Taking cognisance of the grave environmental challenge and health hazard, several measures were announced to improve air quality levels.

On July 6, at a high-level meeting of public officials, it was decided that a special cell would be formed to enforce ban on burning of waste.

Taking into account the defects in the PUC centres, it was announced that a special cell equipped with tools for testing emission levels of vehicles and technical staff would be constituted.

Apart from this, 19 more continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations would be established in Haryana to monitor air pollution levels.