Badarpur thermal power plant to remain shut till January 31

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has extended the ban on generators and continued the closure of all units of the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant till January 31 next year.

The announcement was made by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain while reviewing the progress of implementation of steps to control air pollution in Delhi.
 The minister reviewed the implementation status of issues including ban on firecrackers, particularly during the wedding season, ban on diesel generator sets, operation of Badarpur Thermal Power Station, burning of dry leaves, garbage, plastic, dust control measures at construction sites and closure of polluting industries.

Eleven teams comprising engineers from DPCC along with SDMs from the Revenue Department have inspected 496 sites and issues 289 challans amounting to Rs 89 lakh so far for violating the rules of dust control measures at the construction sites, said a statement from pollution control body.

Twenty-three and 146 polluting units in both confirming and non-confirming areas have been directed to shut down, it said. The meeting was attended among others by the Secretary (Environment)/Chairman DPCC and Special Secretary (Environment)/Member Secretary DPCC. Advertisement for public awareness containing information regarding DPCC WhatsApp, helpline number 9717593574 and 9717593501 was also issued.

196 complaints have been receieved so far on WhatsApp and forwarded by the DPCC to the land owning agencies and SDMs. However, only three Action Taken Reports have been so far received from Municipal Corporations, the statement added.