Only 632 Industrial Units In NCR Transition To Gas-Based Power As Diesel Genset Ban Looms

Gurugram, Aug 22 (KNN) Despite the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) plan to prohibit diesel gensets across the NCR starting September 1, merely 632 industrial establishments within the region have made the switch to gas-powered backup energy systems up to now, reported TOI.

According to government data, Haryana is home to over 100,000 industrial units, with 80 per cent of them falling under the small and medium-sized classification.

Chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, who chaired a meeting of various departments in Chandigarh on Monday, announced that the government had formed a monitoring committee to ensure gas pipelines were laid and there was adequate supply of cleaner fuel to the industries.

“The committee will include representatives from the departments of industries and commerce, urban development and other local bodies,” he said.

Ashok Kohli, who heads the chamber of industries in Udyog Vihar, cited the high cost of conversion and the lack of infrastructure as “major obstacles”.

“The implementation of the CAQM order before September 1 looks difficult. We have requested the commission to exempt small industries from switching to cleaner fuel or at least allow them to use diesel gensets for the time being,” he said.

Kohli highlighted instances of unexpected power cuts resulting in production setbacks. He voiced worry for business proprietors striving to recover from the significant financial setbacks experienced during the COVID-triggered lockdowns.

He said the power department should at least intimate factory owners about long outages so they could take necessary preparations.

“This will help us cut down on losses. With the infrastructure available to us, investing a huge amount to switch to gas doesn’t seem viable at all,” Kohli told TOI.

Chief secretary Kaushal said the government was doing its bit in expediting the infrastructure through its “Right of Use and Right of Way” policy.  (KNN Bureau)