Pollution cloud hangs over Delhi T20 vs NZ

NEWDELHI: THE DDCA USES FIVE GENERATORS OF 125 KVA TO POWER FLOODLIGHTS AND TO ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY IN MATCHES.

The ban on using diesel generators in the Capital to combat pollution could spell power trouble for the first T20 between India and NZ to be played at Ferozeshah Kotla on November 1.

The Delhi cricket association (DDCA) received a letter from the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) stating that diesel-powered generator sets should not be used. The DDCA uses five generators of 125 KVA to power the floodlights and to ensure uninterrupted power supply during international matches. The DDCA, now under the administration of Justice (retd) Vikramajit Sen, will have to find an alternative source of power.

When contacted by HT, a DDCA source, who did not wish to be named, said Justice Sen was in talks with the BSES chairman requesting additional power load. The stadium has an issued load of 1800 KVA. Unless EPCA gives exemption, DDCA will need to double the load.

“We were informed on Thursday by EPCA. It is quite an issue at this hour but the meeting is on. We can only request the BSES to double our load. For uninterrupted power supply, for both lighting and broadcasters, we will need around 3000-3500 KVA. We were told generator sets were banned in marriages or smaller functions, but a recent PIL in the Supreme Court made the earlier verdict stricter,” said the source.

Justice Sen had written to EPCA chairman Dr Bhure Lal, but he turned down the request for exemption. The EPCA chief though has assured DDCA it will get temporary power connection within 24 hours of request .

“We have discussed this matter with the DISCOMS and Delhi Power Secretary and they have assured us there is no power shortage in the city and the DISCOMS will grant temporary connection within 24 hours of receipt of request. Please let us know if the DISCOMS have refused to grant you the necessary power load before we can even consider this request,” the EPCA chairman has written to DDCA.

Lal has said generators can be kept strictly as a back-up. “We made it clear that we allow for generator sets to be there as back-up but would not like them to be used...,” the EPCA chief added. Generators were banned in Delhi from October 17 when the Supreme Court-empowered EPCA enforced a Graded Response Action Plan. The ban will be in force till March 15, 2018.