Rajghat power plant closed to limit pollution

The pollution levels in the Capital now are five times more than normal and it gets worst during morning hours when children are going to school. 

In view of the problem, it was decided to shut down one of Delhi’s oldest serving coal-based power plants, the Rajghat Power Plant, as amount of pollution in its vicinity was found much higher than normal.

Data from the state load dispatch centre shows even today the Rajghat plant generated 37 MW.

Rajghat plant is now more than 20 years old and the cost of the repair and maintenance is on the rise. Its two units, each of  67.5 MW, were installed in 1989-90 at Rajghat power house as replacement of its old units and generating electricity from the present units is very costly.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee had repeatedly warned that the plant was emitting tonnes of toxic gases in the air and was polluting the area around it too much.

The government has said that Rajghat will continue to operate till the Bawana Power Plant can produce up to 1000 MW power. Power department official said maximum output from the Bawana plant is 240-350 MW, as required gases are not available. 

The Sheila-led Congress government had decided to close down the Rajghat plant and the other two coal-based plants to lessen pollution of the air in the city.

The first of the three, the Indraprastha Power Station was closed down in 2010; and in 2011, directions had been issued to shut down the plant at Rajghat. The third plant, Badarpur Thermal Power Plant, continues to operate in south-west corners of the city.

According to a power department official, initially, there were plans to shut down the Rajghat plant by March 31, 2013, but in a review meeting, it was decided to defer the plan to close it as the second plant, the Bawana Power Plant, could not be started and no arrangement have been made for evacuation of power to control Delhi as the Rajghat plant acts as a load centre for the entire Delhi. A Delhi Transco Limited officer admitted that Rajghat plant’s operations was suspended in October-November last year, but now it has started functioning.