Commission for Air Quality Management

in NCR and Adjoining Areas

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17th Floor, Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan,
Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi-110001

Dated: 29th September, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Regulated operations of Diesel Generator (DG) sets in NCR

 The Commission conducts comprehensive review of regulations for use of DG sets in NCR
issued vide earlier Direction No. 73 dated 02.06.2023, considering the representations to
CAQM and now issues a revised Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023.

 Purely in the interest of not disrupting emergency services and permitting more time for
adopting emission control mechanisms, the Commission, as a one-time exception, has
now permitted DG Sets for all capacity ranges, to be run only for emergency services in
the NCR, even under periods of restrictions under the GRAP, only up to 31.12.2023.

 The regulated schedule issued vide Direction No. 73 dated 02.06.2023, including the
means for emission control from such DG sets was to take effect from 01.10.2023. This
schedule has been further revised to ease out the means of implementation and also
addresses practical difficulties and techno-commercial and financial concerns, as now
issued in terms of Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023.

 The revised schedule, except for those deployed for emergency services, would be
strictly in force in the entire NCR w.e.f. 01.10.2023.

 DG sets deployed for emergency services are also required to install / adopt appropriate
means for emission control in the intervening period and w.e.f. 01.01.2024, even such
DG sets shall be permitted to operate in the NCR, strictly subject to adherence to the
stipulated schedule / measures for emission control.

 All stakeholders and enforcement agencies are hereby advised to take strict note of the
above noted regulations for effective implementation.

 Cases of non-compliance / violation of the aforesaid revised Directions are liable for
appropriate action in accordance with the provisions of the Commission for Air Quality
Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 and other environmental laws.
NEW DELHI:

The Commission, from time to time, observed and has sensitized all stakeholders that
amongst other contributors, large-scale use of Diesel Generating sets is a major contributing
factor for deterioration of air quality in the region.

To this end, the Commission, since February, 2022 and from time to time, thereafter,
has issued Directions, Orders, Advisory etc. for control of emissions from such DG sets and
their regulated operations.

Arising out of a review in the matter related to progress made in the field level
implementation, the Commission issued a comprehensively revised Direction No. 73 dated
02.06.2023 for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including
Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Office establishments etc., w.e.f. 01.10.2023, with
a view to derive the benefit of abatement of air pollution, owing to this vital sector, in the
ensuing winter.

While some preparatory actions were initiated / reported by various stakeholders

towards emission control from DG sets through retro-fitted ECDs and / or dual fuel system,
following concerns were highlighted to CAQM:
i. Issues related to availability of certified RECDs and agencies for all capacity ranges
and vintages of DG sets.
ii. Issues related to availability / delays in PNG infrastructure and supply, purely for DG
sets.
iii. Techno-commercial issues, logistics and time involved for fitment of RECDs /
conversion to dual fuel mode.
iv. Issues related to availability of DG sets to the latest standards as in MoEFCC
notification No. GSR 804(E) dated 03.11.2022 (CPCB-IV).
v. Issues related to use of DG sets for emergency services.

The Commission, accordingly, pursuant to a comprehensive review and in supersession

of all extant directions / orders / guidelines on the regulations for DG sets, has issued a
revised Schedule for regulated operations of DG sets (only as a backup against regular power
supply failures) across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential
and Office establishments etc. in terms of Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023, as under:
 S. Capacity Range of DG System to be Regulations for use
No. sets adopted for control
of emissions

1. Power generating sets of None No restrictions

all capacities running on (Even during periods under
LPG/ Natural Gas/ Bio- GRAP)
gas/Propane/Butane

2. Power generating sets of None No restrictions.

all capacities up to 800
kW to standards as per (Even during periods under
MoEFCC notification No. GRAP)
GSR 804(E) dated
03.11.2022

3. 800 kW and above Any emission control No restrictions

mechanism, strictly (Even during periods under
subject to compliance GRAP)
of the prescribed
emission standards for
this category.

4. 125 kW to less than 800 Dual fuel mode No restrictions

kW OR (Even during periods under
Retro-fitted ECDs GRAP)
through certified
vendors / agencies
5. 19 kW to less than 125 kW Dual fuel mode No restrictions
(Even during periods under
GRAP)

DG Sets not working in a dual

fuel mode, only owing to non-
availability of gas infrastructure
and supply, shall be permitted
only for emergency services.
6. Portable DG sets (below Presently no specific No restrictions during the
19 kW) means of emission periods, other than restrictions
control are available under GRAP.
in this category /
capacity range of DG Not to be generally permitted
sets. during periods of restriction
under GRAP. These shall,
however, be permitted even
during periods under GRAP only
for emergency services.
 The regulated schedule for operation of DG sets issued vide Direction No. 73 dated
02.06.2023 was to take effect from 01.10.2023. The revised schedule as above further eases
out the means of implementation and addresses practical difficulties and techno-commercial
concerns of various stakeholders and thus the revised schedule for regulation of DG sets
would be in force in the entire NCR w.e.f. 01.10.2023.

Notwithstanding the revised schedule as above, in the interest of not disrupting

emergency services and permitting sufficient time for adopting the stipulated emission
control mechanism, the Commission, as a one-time exception, has permitted DG Sets for all
capacity ranges to be run only for emergency services in the NCR, as listed below, even
under periods of restrictions under the GRAP, only up to 31.12.2023:

(i) Elevators / Escalators / Travelators etc. in various installations;

Subject to the DG set operation being purely limited to operation of elevators /
escalators / travelators etc. and not for any other activities of commercial entities /
residential societies.
(ii) Medical Services (Hospital/Nursing Home/Health care facilities) including units
involved in manufacturing of life saving medical equipment/devices, drugs and
medicines.
(iii) Railway Services / Railway Stations.
(iv) Metro Rail & MRTS Services, including trains and stations.
(v) Airports and Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs).
(vi) Sewage Treatment Plants.
(vii) Water pumping Stations.
(viii) Projects of national security, defence & of national importance.
(ix) Telecommunications and IT/ data services.

Appropriate emission control mechanisms are also required to be put in place, on or

before 31.12.2023, in respect of DG sets being used in above listed emergency services, to
avoid action under the relevant provisions of laws / rules / regulations / directions etc.,
thereafter.
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