Diesel generators add to Bengaluru's toxic air

Bengaluru: Last week, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) had banned the use of diesel generator sets across Delhi until March 15, 2018, as a step towards bringing down air pollution. In Bengaluru, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Lakshman has expressed serious concerns over the use of such generators, which contributes to nearly 7% of the air pollution in the city.

“Since 1983 the pollution level is going above the permissible limits. These sets are often kept on footpath are a major nuisance,”  Lakshman said. According to the KSPCB, over 54 tonnes of fire dust is produced daily, which contributes to the rise of particulate matter 10. In the city, Domlur is one of the most affected by the use of such gensets by commercial establishment, he added.

Mahesh Kashyap, a consultant with the Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) said that diesel exhausts can lead to serious health ailments. “The diesel exhaust contains class 1 carcinogen, which can cause cancer. The diesel engines emit particles less than 2.5mm in size, which can aggravate asthma. The generator sets are commonly used in City Market and Cottonpet.”

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines clearly say, “Smoke of the gensets should be channelised in such a manner that it is not a nuisance in the neighbourhood.” However, the residents staying near Manyata Tech Park complain that constant noise and smoke from the generators used at the tech park has turned their life into a nightmare.  K.V. Manjunath, president of MS Ramaiah North City Layout Resident Welfare Associations told Deccan Chronicle that despite high court’s initial hearing in July, the tech park promoters have not taken any substantive steps towards curbing the genset menace.

Use of gensets doubles
Associate Director of TERI Sumit Sharma said that in 2007, there were 5000 diesel generator sets, which have now doubled this year.
What NGT guidelines say
Gensets should be installed with stand-alone or isolated foundation with proper anti-vibration packing. Genset smoke should be channelized/emitted to avoid causing nuisance to the neighbourhood.

The developer for market/malls, high rise building or a gated colony shall necessarily install a source of standby power back up, but installation of a genset by individuals should be  prohibited. Developer shall necessarily install a system to harvest solar or wind energy, as applicable, as a source of electricity apart from solar geysers.