Pollution Control Authority orders closure of Badarpur thermal power plant

New Delhi, October 18: Environment Pollution Control Authority has banned diesel generator sets in Delhi and ordered closure of Badarpur thermal power plant in the national capital to control air pollution in the city.

Environment Pollution Control Authority chairman Bhure Lal and member Sunita Narain announced the decision following a review meeting in New Delhi. Narain said, if air pollution aggravates further and in case it touches alarming proportions, cars will have to be off the roads. She said, vehicle parking fee may have to be hiked in Delhi if required.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has registered 21 cases so far in connection with illegal sale of firecrackers in the national capital. The Supreme court in its order has temporarily banned sale of firecrackers in Delhi and national capital region (NCR) till 31st of this month.

Acting on the apex court directions, police has seized around 1,200 kilograms of fire crackers so far. Two Delhi Police personnel have also been suspended for allegedly failing to check the sale of firecrackers. A Graded Response Action Plan has been designed to control air pollution in the national capital.

Prior to this, government had also issued prohibitory orders on stubble burning, as it had become a major concern, resulting in air pollution as well as reduction in soil fertility.