DPCC to curb pollution ahead of winter

As the state is about to face the most polluted season of the year, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Wednesday banned the operation of electricity generator sets of all capacities run on diesel, petrol, kerosene from Thursday as part of an active mission to constrain the level of pollution during the winter.

The ban was enacted after the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) advised Delhi and national capital region (NCR) to enforce directions provided under the "very poor/severe" category of air pollution of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). GRAP has been in force in Delhi and its NCR for the past few years. EPCA was notified to implement GRAP as an institutionalized emergency measure at the onset of air quality deterioration.

DPCC ensures that 'essential services' such as for medical purposes, elevators and escalators, railway services and stations, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation services, interstate bus terminus and airports and data centre run by National Information Center have been exempted from the ban.

According to the data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality of the state and neighbouring NCR is deteriorating. Winter might make it worse when Delhi and NCR are mostly found covered under a blanket of toxic air during the season for years. EPCA and CPCB will monitor the situation and take any further steps if needed.

(Reported by Fathima Jumana)