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Ban kerosene generators, suggests Centre

Use of low intensity kerosene-powered generators, having a capacity of less than 10 KVA, ought to be banned in Delhi from December 31, 1998, the environment and forest ministry has submitted before the Delhi high court.

Stating that generators are a major cause of pollution, the ministry has drawn up a composite plan.

The generator sets can be banned under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, said the ministry. Invertors or solar panels may be used as a substitute to generators, the plan suggested.

Dr Jag Ram, additional director in the ministry, informed the court that the plan was worked out following a high court directive. The ministry was asked to explore the possibility of substituting generators either by small solar panels or by invertors or by equipping such generators with silencers and catalytic convertors.

Dr Ram said the maximum number of generators were unbranded and did not meet the prescribed noise pollution standards. Most of these sets use kerosene as fuel which causes more air pollution than petrol-powered generators.

The plan suggested that generators, having a capacity of more than 10 KVA, could be used with the Delhi Vidyut Board's permission. The board shall be responsible for ensuring that generators conform to prescribed standards.

UNI

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