Ahead of the seasonal spike in air pollution across the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has stepped up its compliance and enforcement operations.
Observed infractions included intense smoke emissions, absent or malfunctioning Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), wet scrubber bypasses, and hazardous wood-fired pit furnaces. The Commission has further urged regional state pollution control boards, municipal bodies, and local authorities to maintain seamless coordination, monitor high-priority sectors continuously, and ensure zero tolerance for environmental violations. On September 3, 2026, 8 dedicated teams from the Commission’s Flying Squads—partnering with local district administration, police forces, and officers from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB)—inspected 35 premises in a day. Seven teams audited 22 industrial premises across major belts. The drive uncovered widespread violations—with 16 of the 22 units failing environmental norms. Consequently, 12 Show Cause Notices (SCNs) were issued, two non-conforming units were sealed by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), and strict action was proposed against two suspected illegal units that denied entry to inspection officers.
Not just in the NCR region but in Haryana’s Nuh as well, the watchdog says it amped up operations. With atmospheric conditions expected to deteriorate in the coming months, the CAQM says that enforcement efforts will only intensify.
