New Delhi, June 5, 2010

BRPL celebrates World Environment Day

Adopts 2 km stretch for planting trees in South Delhi and inducts REVA electric car

• To plant hundreds of samplings of Gulmohar and Bougainvilleas

• Gulmohar and Bougainvillea saplings to be planted on 2 km stretch

• Additionally BRPL inducts REVA electric car in its O and M fleet

• Based on field trials, more electrical vehicles will be inducted

• Electric car to improve the company’s response time in congested areas, reduce carbon foot print and operational costs

On the occasion of the World Environment Day today, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), rolled out two ‘green’ initiatives. Taking the lead, the company adopted a 2 km stretch on the Vivekananda Marg (Hotel Hyatt to Munrika) for greening and beautification and in a separate function later, flagged off it’s newly acquired environment friendly REVA electric car, to be deployed as part of its operations and maintenance fleet.

Adoption of a 2 km stretch on the Vivekananda Marg

In a simple ceremony organized to observe the World Environment Day, MLA Ms Barkha Singh and Mr Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary Environment, GoNCTD, and senior BRPL officials led by the CEO Mr Gopal Saxena, planted saplings of Gulmohar and Bougainvilleas on the divider on the busy Vivekananda Marg (Hotel Hyatt to Munrika) stretch adopted by BRPL.

“Over the next few days, BRPL will plant hundreds of saplings on the divider on this 2 km stretch. According to the agreement signed with MCD, BRPL, besides planting the saplings, will also maintain them for a period of 3 years”, said Mr Gopal Saxena. Explaining the rationale behind choosing Gulmohars and Bougainvilleas, Mr Saxena added “These pretty looking plants, besides being hardy, need minimal maintenance and are best suited to Delhi’s climate”.

‘Green Delhi’ has been close to BSES’ heart. Since July 2002, BSES’ employees have planted over 13,200 trees best suited to Delhi’s conditions and climate – in the process reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) by around 3.4 lakh tones / year. At every official function, saplings are planted and given away to dignitaries attending functions over 200 saplings given away by BYPL this year already”, said a BSES official.

Deployment of REVA electric vehicle

In another function to mark the World Environment Day, BRPL CEO along with Dr Pawan Singh (Director, Finance), DTL flagged of the REVA electric car. The zero emission car will be deployed as part of the company’s operations and maintenance fleet. Others present on the occasion were senior BSES and REVA officials. The zero emission car is expected to not only substantially improve the company’s response time in congested areas, but also reduce carbon footprint and running costs.

“This is only the first of the electric vehicles. Depending on its success in field trials, over time, the company plans to induct more such vehicles”, said a BRPL official.

According to Mr Gopal Saxena, CEO, BRPL, “Being pro-environment is the focus of all our corporate social responsibility initiatives. BSES not only champions the environment cause, but actually ‘walks the talk’. These two initiatives are yet another testimonial to our concerns for the environment”.

According to a company spokesperson, “Both BSES companies in the last eight years have readily promoted the green cause for a better cleaner greener Delhi. Already BYPL has set up 20 (and counting) free electric vehicle charge ports at its locations in East and Central Delhi providing infrastructure for electric car owners. Protecting the environment has been a key message at all the inaugural functions where the Chief guests have been school children, principals of schools and colleges, RWA members and Vishisht Sahyogis"

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

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