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Environment Pollution Control Authority lifts ban on Brick Kilns and Diesel Generators as the air quality improves

Dated: March 06, 2018

EPCA has finally lifted the ban on Brick Kilns and Diesel generators in the Capital Region. The Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has allowed the Badarpur power plant to resume its operation. The permission given to the said power plant is still temporary in nature as the authority has observed a slight improvement in the air quality in Delhi.  The power plant has been shut down since October 17 last year.

Since then, the use of diesel generators had been banned and hundreds of brick kilns were ordered to stop production. EPCA has allowed permission to only those brick kilns which have implemented the zigzag technology. The zigzag technology helps in reduction of black carbon emission. The EPCA officials have further stated that the Badarpur plant in South Delhi would be “permanently closed” from July 2018.    
Hundreds of brick kilns were ordered to stop production in Delhi last year as the air quality had significantly deteriorated.  On October 17, 2017, the EPCA had imposed measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with the pollution in the city.

Recently, EPCA chairman Bhure Lal released a ‘Report card on Delhi’s air pollution’. He stated that a written undertaking has been submitted by about 1400 brick kiln owners to EPCA. The undertaking constitutes shifting to improved zigzag technology by April 2018. The use of zigzag technology has been made mandatory and by July 1, 2018, only those power plants which have zigzag technology would be allowed to operate in the Capital Region.

The Graded Response Action Plan, as well as the emergency actions that were taken, has had some impact on the environment. However, the pollution levels are still moderately high.