New Delhi: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started installing emission-control devices on 25 diesel generator (DG) sets along an 8.7-km stretch of Dwarka Expressway, aiming to curb emissions from equipment used for road lighting and other operations.The devices, called Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECDs), are being installed on the stretch of the expressway that runs from Basai to the cloverleaf interchange connecting it to the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, near Kherki Dhaula.The initiative comes as the National Capital Region (NCR) prepares for another season of poor air quality when restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) could lead to stricter emission control.The move follows directions from Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) , which ahs asked for regulation of diesel generator sets in NCR, particularly during winter.DG sets used for essential highway operations can emit pollutants, making emission control important even when the equipment is required to keep infrastructure running.According to NHAI, the RECD installation process includes fitting, testing and commissioning the devices, along with maintenance support.The authority has also specified that GPS-tagged photographs of installations at each DG set or location will have to be maintained for verification and compliance.The initiative is part of NHAI’s broader effort to incorporate environmental safeguards into the construction and operation of national highways in NCR.The Dwarka Expressway stretch forms part of a key road corridor connecting Delhi with Gurgaon.
