India vs New Zealand | Pollution body bans diesel generators for Delhi T20I

EPCA had taken a step to reduce the level of pollution in the city and for that, they have banned the use of DGs across the capital, except for essential services, until mid-March next year. 

On October 26, the BCCI and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) wrote a letter to the EPCA in which they requested a no objection certificate to use DGs at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. In the letter, DDCA told the EPCA that the generators were necessary for the smooth running of the day-night match, especially for the floodlights. Both the authorities assured payment of all necessary tax and fees if any.

In the response to their letters, Bhure Lal, the chairperson of EPCA wrote that it’s not possible for them to give NOC. He also informed BCCI and DDCA to clarify with DISCOMS and the Delhi Power Secretary as the temporary power connections would be provided to anyone within 24 hours of receipt of the request.

"Unfortunately, it will not be possible for us to agree to such a request as the ban on diesel generator sets is critical in view of the very poor and severe conditions that are prevalent in Delhi for air pollution.

“We have in our last minutes made it clear that we allow for generator sets to be there as a back-up but we would not like them to be used because we expect that power is available and therefore there is no need to use… generator sets,” he wrote in the letter.

“What is the need for diesel generator sets when electricity is fully available? Earlier, we had refused permission for DG sets to be used for a Tourism Ministry event,” Lal told The Indian Express.

The DDCA uses five generators of 125 KVA each for the floodlights and to ensure uninterrupted power supply during international matches. 

“We have been told by EPCA that the Delhi power authority has informed them there is no shortage of electricity in the capital. Now, the onus is on DISCOMS to provide us uninterrupted power supply,” a BCCI spokesperson said.

“Most of our associations use generators since that’s the only way we are sure that there wouldn’t be a sudden break in power,” he added.

The DDCA is working under Justice Vikramjit Sen who has appointed by the Delhi High Court refused to comment on the issue, saying that he was yet to receive a reply from the EPCA. 

The opener of the India-New Zealand T20I series is scheduled to be played in Delhi on November 1.