Noida, Oct 19 (KNN) The CAQM has ordered all industries in NCR to switch to dual mode DG sets of 70 per cent gas and 30 per cent diesel by December 31 .

In response to the air quality deteriorating in Delhi-NCR every winter, the CAQM, this year, had asked the industries to ensure the switch by September 30. After missing that deadline, industry representatives on October 3 raised the issues of the waiting period and the high charges before the district magistrate, after which the CAQM extended the deadline.

IGL, the solo gas agency in Noida along with the industry representatives are demanding an extension in the deadline to switch to dual mode DG sets.The IGL officials said that the switch takes 60 days, and there is no waiting period. The Cost per connection is around Rs 5-10 lakh.

The Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA) members said IGL is taking four-six months to provide gas connections due to a surge in applications, nearly 460 in the last six months.

Vipin Malhan, NEA president said, “Most industries have applied, but their gas connections are pending. Under such circumstances, how will it be possible to stop using the DG sets in case of power cuts.”

“There is a shortage of staff, meters and other materials with IGL. We have tried many times to contact officials for details of connections, but there have been no responses. The calls are going unanswered,” he said.

Mukesh Kakkar, senior vice president of NEA, said, “The industrialists have to bear the conversion and IGL charges, which cuts a deep hole in their pockets.”

Malhan, who raised this issue with district magistrate Manish Verma and deputy commissioner of industries Anil Kumar, said the district should improve the power supply rather than restrict the industries.

“The state government has ordered uninterrupted power supply. Instead, we face power cuts or disruptions seven to eight times daily. If that stops, industries do not have to use the DG sets,” said Malhan.

The IGL officials denied any delays at their end.

“There is no waiting period. IGL gives connections within 60 working days depending upon site conditions,” said Madhav Raman, DGM, IGL.

Raman added that due to a high number of applications, heavy rains in July, and the G20 arrangements keeping the IGL staff busy in September, 49 connections are pending. “The number of industries that have got the IGL connections but did not start the dual-mode operations is 110,” he said.

(KNN Bureau)