BMC to install emission control systems at four pumping stations

BMC’s Haji Ali stormwater pumping station. The facility has not been included in the civic body’s plan to install Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECDs) as it is currently undergoing an upgrade and will receive newer diesel generator sets. File pic/Ashish Raje

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will install air purification systems on diesel generator (DG) sets at four major pumping stations ahead of the monsoon in an effort to curb emissions from the ageing machinery used to operate the facilities.

The Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECDs) will be fitted at the Cleveland and Lovegrove pumping stations in Worli, Britannia pumping station at Reay Road, and Gazdarbandh pumping station near Santacruz. According to civic officials, the devices are expected to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and carbon monoxide by up to 70 per cent.

Why pumping stations need RECDs

Mumbai's pumping stations are critical to preventing flooding during heavy rainfall. Unlike many civic facilities, they operate primarily on diesel generator power.

A senior civic official said all operations, including opening and closing floodgates, are powered through DG sets.

Older DG sets are a significant source of air pollution and have been identified under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as major contributors to poor air quality in non-attainment cities.

Pumping stations getting RECDs

>> Lovegrove (Worli)
>> Cleveland (Worli)
>> Britannia (Reay Road)
>> Gazdarbandh (Santacruz)

Pumping stations not included
>> Haji Ali
>> Irla

Reason: Both stations are undergoing upgrades and will receive newer DG sets that are expected to generate lower emissions.

Why it matters

According to NCAP data:
>> Stationary DG sets contribute 7-18 per cent of ambient air pollution in non-attainment cities.
>> Older DG sets can emit up to 11 times more pollutants than prescribed manufacturer standards.
>> Particulate matter has a global warming potential estimated to be 460 times that of carbon dioxide.

How the technology works

1 DG sets generate exhaust emissions.
2 RECDs are fitted to the exhaust system.
3 Pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide are filtered and treated.
4 Cleaner exhaust is released into the atmosphere.

Authority Speak

Environment department official,
"The air purifiers are retrofitted within the DG sets. The emissions generated from the DG sets are considerably purified before the air is released into the atmosphere. Even DG sets used at ward offices have RECDs if the sets are old. Since we use particularly large-capacity sets, the pollution generated is comparatively higher at pumping stations."

What is an RECD?

A Retrofit Emission Control Device is an air pollution control system installed on existing diesel generators to reduce harmful emissions without replacing the entire generator set.