The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has expressed deep concern over the rising level of emission by diesel generators in the city. With fuel consumption having almost doubled amid power outages, especially over the last fortnight, inflated back-up bills and rising pollution levels are draining residents of their savings and a healthy living.
"If the situation doesn't improve, pollution levels will rise due to use of gensets as a back-up," said Pradeep Yadav, HSPCB regional officer.
Despite tall claims made by the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam (DHBVN), the power situation in Gurgaon has gone from bad to worse. Over the past few days, diesel generators have been running for longer hours in most areas of the city.
"We have to supply electricity to our residents when the DHBVN fails to meet demand,” said SC Sharma, general manager of Malibu Estate Private Ltd.
"Developers charge approximately R13 per unit for power supplied from diesel gensets which is much costlier than electricity supplied by the discom," said Vikas Gupta, general secretary of Vatika City.
The situation is no better at commercial units as well. According to Sahara Mall authorities, their diesel gensets have been running for 10 to 12 hours daily for the past few days.
"As per records, we have even consumed about 22,000 litres of diesel in a single day," said a mall official.
An average diesel generator produces 3.8-4 kilo watts of electricity per hour. Assuming 60 % power load on gensets, about 100-150 litres of diesel is consumed per hour by these fuel guzzlers.