Ban on generators in Delhi to continue till Jan. 31

New Delhi [India], Nov. 17 (ANI): The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued an order to extend the ban on generators and to continue the closure of all units of the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant till January 31 next year. Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Thursday reviewed the progress of implementation of steps to control air pollution in the national capital which were announced by the Cabinet earlier this month. The meeting was attended by the Secretary (Environment)/Chairman DPCC and Special Secretary (Environment)/Member Secretary DPCC among others. The Minister reviewed the implementation status of issues including ban on firecrackers particularly during the marriage season, ban on diesel generator sets, operation of Badarpur Thermal Power Station, burning of dry leaves/ garbage / plastic etc., dust control measures at construction sites and closure of polluting industries. The DPCC informed that directions have been issued under section 31(A) of Air Pollution (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 for banning of all fire crackers/fireworks (except on religious occasions). The DPCC further informed that directions have also been issued under section 31 (A) of Air (Pollution and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 read with Rule 20A (6) for the Air (Pollution and Control for Pollution) (Union Territories) Rules, Act 1983 to stop operation of electricity generator sets run on diesel / petrol / kerosene in Delhi till January 31, 2017. The Minister was also informed that directions have been issued under Section 31 A of Air Pollution (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, for closure of all the units of Badarpur Thermal Power Station till January 31, 2017 and for not lifting the fly ash for any purpose along with ensuring the regular sprinkling of water in the fly ash storage area. In the meeting, Hussain enquired about the status of prohibition of burning of dry leaves/garbage/plastic waste etc. The officers of the DPCC apprised the Minister that SDMs, Municipal Corporations and other land owning agencies are conducting regular inspections in the field to check such activities. Further, it was informed that advertisement for public awareness containing information regarding DPCC WhatsApp, helpline number 9717593574 and 9717593501 has been issued. On the WhatsApp numbers,196 complaints have so far been received and forwarded by DPCC to the land owning agencies and SDMs. However, only three Action Taken Reports have so far been received from the municipal corporations. Regarding compliance of dust control measures at the construction sites, the DPCC informed that 11 teams constituting engineers from the committee along with SDMs from the Revenue Department have jointly inspected 496 sites and issued 289 challans amounting to about Rs. 89 lakh so far. On the issue of closure of polluting industries, the DPCC informed that a public notice for their closure in both conforming and non-conforming areas has been issued in leading newspapers. The DPCC also informed that it has issued closure directions in the last 15-20 days to 23 polluting units in conforming areas and 146 closure directions to polluting industries in non-conforming areas. The Minister directed the DPCC to work out a plan for long term solution for the improvement of air quality in Delhi. (ANI)