L-G orders to close Badarpur Thermal plant permanently

New Delhi: Badarpur Thermal Power Station will permanently close by July 2018 and measures are being taken for running of gas-based Bawana plant on optimal capacity, Power secretary informed LieutenantGovernor Anil Baijal on Thursday.

L-G Baijal was chairing a meeting to review the detailed Action Plan on measures to combat air pollution in Delhi, wherein stressed that the efforts must be intensified as considerable distance remains to be traversed before the battle against air pollution can be decisively won.

On the occasion, Principle Secretary (Urban Development), Secretary (Environment), and Commissioner (Transport) apprised the LG about the progress on the air action plan focusing on Solid Waste Management, road dust, vehicle pollution control and control pollution from industries and DG sets to combat air pollution in Delhi.

For action plan on Solid Waste Management, Lieutenant-governor directed the Principal Commissioner, Urban Development, and Commissioners of three MCDS to rework their action plan keeping in mind cent waste management of day-today generation of solid waste including biodegradable components as well as construction and demolition waste.

The plan should indicate milestones and a time-frame not exceeding sixteen months.

Environment secretary informed Lieutenant- Governor that 14 Home Guard Volunteers as Environment Marshals have been already deployed in seven wards of municipal corporations (three in EDMC, two in SDMC and two in North MCD), which is being increased by another 70 immediately in identified wards.

Further it was noted that the transport department plan, which is to be completed in 08-16 months, include procurement of 2000 buses, last mile connectivity, route rationalization of entire public transport, linkage of Pollution Under Control (PUC) process with Insurance and ‘VAHAN’ software, and automation of existing fitness centres at Burari and setting up of two automated fitness centers in Delhi.

It was also apprised that measures to curb entry of overloaded trucks and penalize them shall be put in place at all entry points in a phased manner.

Regarding action plan for industries and Dg-sets, the environment secretary apprised LG about action taken including ‘Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems’ for bio-medical waste treatment facilities, enforcement on ban on pet coke and furnace oil.

He also noted that in all industrial areas of Delhi, PNG as a fuel is being made mandatory and 5 industrial areas have agreed to shift to PNG as a fuel.

LG stressed for adoption of one common app for registering complaints regarding garbage and waste burning.

Central Pollution Control Board representative informed that SAMEER App of CPCB is functional on which complaints can be lodged.

Complaints on this App are being forwarded to agencies concerned and ATRS are uploaded on App.