Delhi pollution: Railway Board asks 4 zones to replace, convert non-compliant diesel generators
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New Delhi (PTI): The Railway Board has asked four zones to replace or convert non-compliant diesel generator (DG) sets in line with the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
In a letter dated November 18, the Board told the Northern, North Central, Northwestern, and West Central zones to "replace the non-compliant DG sets with compliant DG sets".
It added that if replacements are not possible, the zones can either convert the DG sets to dual fuel mode or install with a Retrofit Emission Control Device (RECD).
The instruction followed a communication sent by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to the chairman of the Railway Board on October 26. The Committee had sought suitable directions to ensure compliance with the CAQM order on the use of only compliant DG sets.
"All units, including industrial, commercial, residential, office establishments, banks, mobile tower buildings, health care facilities, railway stations, metro stations, bus terminals, embassies, etc. under your jurisdiction, are required to replace the non-compliant DG sets with the compliant DG sets or convert to dual fuel mode or install RECD, as applicable, to control air pollution due to the operation of DG sets," DPCC had said in its letter.
"You are also well aware that Delhi faces grave air pollution, particularly in the winter season, and the level of pollutants goes much beyond the prescribed standards for Ambient Air Quality," it added.
The DPCC stated that the entire Union Territory of Delhi has been designated as an air pollution control area under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Further, the CAQM in NCR and the adjoining regions has issued directions in 2023 and 2024 for the regulated use of DG sets to curb air pollution in Delhi.
The DPCC also cited five specific directions for DG sets of different capacities, ranging from less than 19 kV to 800 kV, along with the required actions for each category.
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US renews sanctions waiver for purchase of Russian oil
Washington (PTI): The United States has extended by a month a waiver from sanctions to allow countries to buy petroleum products from Russia, days after it ruled out renewal of the special measure.
The US Department of Treasury issued an order late Friday extending the waiver from sanctions on Russian oil that is already at sea on or before April 17 through May 16.
Earlier, the US had granted an exemption from sanctions to India for buying Russian oil for a month beginning March 5. A few days later, a similar waiver was extended to several other countries, which ended on April 11.
The general licence issued by the US on Friday does not authorise any transaction involving a person, entity or joint venture located in Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or parts of Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would not be renewing the waiver for Russian oil and another for Iranian oil.
The previous waiver of sanctions had made available 140 million barrels of Russian oil already loaded on ships to global markets as prices soared against the backdrop of the US war with Iran.
"Effective April 17, 2026, General License No. 134A, which was dated March 19, 2026 and expired on April 11, 2026, is replaced and superseded in its entirety by this General License No. 134B," said the order issued by the Department of Treasury.
