As Delhi continues to battle 'very poor' air quality, the Supreme Court-empowered EPCA today asked the Delhi government to ensure that the Badarpur thermal power plant, a major source of air pollution in the city, continues to remain shut.
Last November, the government had issued directions under section 31 A of Air Pollution (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, for closure of all the units of the power plant till January 31.
Sources said NTPC, which operates the plant, has received no fresh communication from the government to resume its operations.
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However, Environment Secretary Chandraker Bharti refused to comment on the issue.
At the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) meeting on January 20, he had made it clear that the plant will remain shut unless there is any power crisis in the city.
The next meeting of EPCA will be held on February 3.
"We want the plant to remain shut, especially since there is no power crisis in the city. Keeping it shut has helped considerably in keeping pollution in check. There is no need to run it," EPCA Chairman Bhure Lal said.
At the last meeting, EPCA member Sunita Narain had directed the Delhi government to take steps to transport the flyash at the plant using special containers.
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