The government has banned the use of diesel generators from October 18 to March next year. However, to assuage irked residents, it has decreed all power discoms to provide tatkal power connections in three days' time.
On the recommendation of Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), the Delhi government banned the use of diesel generators from October 18 to March 2018. However, to assuage irked residents, it has decreed all Delhi power dicoms to provide tatkal [immediate] connections within 36 hours.
The chief secretary of the Delhi government, MM Kutti, wrote to the power discoms stating the same.
Residents of high-rise societies are particularly annoyed with the ban. The step, they added, will impact their emergency backup systems, which run on diesel generator sets.
HC Joshi, a senior citizen of Dronacharya Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension, said, “Putting a blanket ban on the use of diesel generators is not really a positive step — people will have to bear the brunt of it. The ban was imposed without any preparedness. Some relaxation should have been allowed to the residential areas. As most societies have lifts, generator sets should be allowed in residential areas.”
He added, “Temporary generator sets used in banquets, malls and marriage functions that should be banned.”
BSES Yamuna Power Limited, which has most of its consumers in East Delhi, said that earlier people had to apply at least a week earlier for tatkal electricity — now the whole thing has to be set in place in three days.
“The temporary tatkal connections can be obtained by contacting the call centre at 39999707 and 39999808. The applicants can also complete simple formalities by visiting the call centres at the division offices. They can also apply online through the BSES website,” explained Yugveer Singh, an official of the BSES at its regional office in IP Extension.
