Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Gurugram Residents Challenge DLF Generator Installation Near Homes
Residents in Gurugram are worried about a plan to put large diesel generators and cooling towers near their homes.
The plan includes 24 generators with a combined capacity of 67,500 KVA.
The residents say the land may not be included in the environmental approvals for the larger project.
They are concerned about pollution, fire risks and the nearby elevated metro line.
They also say the authorities have not shown a safety assessment from the metro authorities.
DLF has said approval from HMRTC is not required.
Residents have asked the National Green Tribunal to cancel the 2019 and 2023 environmental clearances.
The tribunal has not yet ruled on their claims.
Residents near Moulsari Avenue Rapid Metro station have approached the National Green Tribunal over DLF’s plan for 24 high-capacity diesel generator sets and cooling towers.
The proposed generators would have a combined capacity of 67,500 KVA and are planned near homes, a pre-primary school and a day-care facility.
Residents say the disputed land, identified as “Part B,” is outside the 32.3-acre project covered by environmental clearances issued in 2019 and 2023.
They have raised concerns about pollution, fire and structural safety, including the installation’s proximity to the elevated metro corridor; DLF has said HMRTC approval is not required.
Residents seek cancellation of the clearances and action over alleged concealment and misrepresentation; the claims have not been adjudicated by the tribunal.
- Who
- Residents of a nearby housing society and DLF.
- What
- Residents have challenged DLF’s proposed installation of 24 diesel generator sets and cooling towers and seek cancellation of the 2019 and 2023 environmental clearances.
- When
- The residents cited approvals from 2019 and 2023, an HSPCB response dated January 8, 2026, and a DLF reply dated March 30, 2026.
- Where
- Near Moulsari Avenue Rapid Metro station in Gurugram.
- Why
- Residents allege the installation is on land outside the approved project area and raise concerns about pollution, fire safety and metro infrastructure safety.
Residents’ concerns
DLF and agency positions cited
Project land and clearances
Residents’ concerns
Residents say the generator and cooling-tower site is a separate parcel not covered by the environmental clearances for the 32.3-acre project, and say no separate clearance has been produced.
DLF and agency positions cited
DLF’s cited project documents describe the development and its infrastructure; DLF denied constructing a power generation plant or substation in a March 11, 2024, letter. The article does not report a definitive ruling on the parcel’s approval status.
Metro safety review
Residents’ concerns
Residents say the equipment, diesel storage and a gas-insulated substation near the operational metro corridor require a safety and structural assessment, and say no such assessment from metro authorities is on record.
DLF and agency positions cited
Residents say DLF has maintained that HMRTC approval is not required. Ajay Kumar, HMRTC’s deputy commissioner, did not respond to the publication’s queries.
Pollution board consultation
Residents’ concerns
Residents argue that the environmental-clearance conditions required consultation with HSPCB before the generator locations were finalised, and say the board’s responses do not resolve that concern.
DLF and agency positions cited
HSPCB stated in its January 8, 2026, response that deciding generator locations and constructing the cooling tower did not fall within its remit.
- Proposed equipment
- 24 diesel generator sets and cooling towers
- Combined generator capacity
- 67,500 KVA
- Generator configuration
- Six sets rated at 2,250 KVA each and 18 rated at 3,000 KVA each
- Nearby population
- Residents say the housing society is home to around 3,500 to 4,000 people
- Environmental clearances in dispute
- Approvals issued in 2019 and 2023, which residents say cover a 32.3-acre commercial project but not the separate parcel
- Distances cited by residents
- The nearest DG set is said to be about 15 metres from the elevated metro station foundation; underground diesel storage is around 60 metres away
- Status reported in correspondence
- HSPCB said in January 2026 the DG sets were not installed and the cooling tower had not been constructed; DLF said in March 2026 that generator installation was in progress
- Residents’ request
- Cancel the 2019 and 2023 environmental clearances and take action over alleged concealment and misrepresentation