India continues to suffer from crippling power shortages. Businesses and buildings (that can afford it) have installed diesel generators to solve these shortages.
An unfortunate effect of these generators is air pollution. Power generated by huge power stations is less polluting than equivalent power generated by thousands of small generators. I wish environmental groups would take up this issue and fight for reforms in the power sector so that we can get reliable and clean power in our cities and not have to generate this power by burning diesel.
These photographs show the ridiculous state of affairs in Gurgaon where the power situation is pathetic.
Almost every commercial complex and housing society is littered with these ugly and polluting contraptions.
Diesel Generator Madness II
In order to conserve electricity, state electricity boards have passed orders like “No Billboards should be lit at Night.” That this “conservation” helps the politically powerful lobbies steal the remaining power is another issue. Nevermind. These orders have an insidious effect on our environment: Advertisers have installed ad-hoc diesel generators of their own to power these billboards. These generators create a racket through the night and spew noxious black fumes.
I really can’t blame the billboard owners. The state has failed them and business must must go on.
These photos from India’s boom town Gurgaon show the ugliness that often gets hidden by the glitzy malls and shiny glass buildings.
Also see Diesel Generator Smoke Polluting our Skies