Many in NCR will be hit by ban on gensets from October 15

New Delhi: More than 3,000 National Capital Region (NCR) residents, including those living in high-end condominiums in Gurgaon, may be in for a dark winter as the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority has banned diesel generators (DGs) from October 15 and at least seven residential complexes in the region are completely dependent on gensets for round-the-clock power supply.

Besides, there are about 20 residential complexes which are partially dependent on gensets since they have not taken the full load from the electricity department. This means, to use heavy load appliances such as air-conditioners and geysers, they need to use generators. In all, about, 14,000 residents are living in these complexes. EPCA chairman Bhure Lal wrote to the Haryana chief secretary on Tuesday, asking the state government about its preparations to implement the graded response action plan (GRAP) as “EPCA is very clear to enforce the rule from October 15”.

According to Haryana’s additional chief secretary’s letter to the EPCA on Monday, DLF’s phase V residential complexes in Gurgaon – Crest and Camellias – and Association Express condominium in Manesar will be without electricity if the ban on diesel generators is imposed. About 2,200 residents are living here.

Similarly, in Faridabad, BPTP Park Land in sector 78 and 79 are completely dependent on DG sets

In Noida, there are two residential complexes which are completely dependent on DG sets for power. “There are 68 residential and commercial complexes in Gurugram and Faridabad who are completely or partially dependent on DG sets for power supply. We have submitted the details with EPCA and the developers of these societies will need to approach EPCA to get special permission to run generators,” said Vinita Singh, chief engineer, Smart Grid of Haryana. Officials said Faridabad, and Noida administrations have requested the EPCA but the environment authority has clearly said that it is ready to implement GRAP from October 15, including banning of DG sets in residential, commercial and industrial areas, exempting only the essential services.

“In Gurgaon, the charges to get an electricity connection for high-rises are too much and softer norms would encourage developers to apply for electricity connection rather than opting for generators for power supply,” said Pankaj Bajaj, president, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, NCR. Electricity department officials in Noida and Gurgaon said they are fully prepared to ensure there is no scheduled power cut but technical faults cannot be ruled out.