The decision to close down Rajghat and the other two coal-based plants was taken in a bid to clean Delhi’s air. The first of the three, the Indraprastha power station, was closed down in 2010; and in 2011, directions had been issued to shut down Rajghat. The third plant, Badarpur thermal power plant, continues to operate in the southeast corner of the city.
Initially, there were plans of shutting down Rajghat by March 31, 2013, but in a review it has been decided to defer the closure plan as second plant of Bawana could not be started and no arrangements have been made for evacuation of power to central Delhi as Rajghat plant is acting as a load centre for entire central Delhi.
The plant is now more than 20 years old and the cost of the repair and maintenance is going up. The plant was set up in 1989 as a coal-based plant. The plant is spread over 46 acre. According to proposal, the development will include a city forest, parking cluster for buses, conversion of the existing Railway line into a cycle track and re-development of existing structures.
According to note, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is not allowing the change of land use regarding Rajghat plant. Apart from this, land and Development office has resumed the land allotment of 70.51 acres along with buildings and structure in the wake of the Government plant to dismantle the existing power station and the purpose for which the land was allotted is being no more in existence as Delhi Government is developing for alternate use of development by Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).