The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reported 55 violations following 124 inspections across the National Capital Region (NCR) between September 25 and October 9, 2026. The findings were reviewed at the 141st meeting of the Commission’s Enforcement Task Force (ETF), held on October 16, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen air pollution control and regulatory compliance.
Industrial Units Account for 35 Violations
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the 124 inspections conducted during the 15-day reporting period covered construction and demolition (C&D) sites, industrial units and diesel generator (DG) sets. Of these, six inspections were conducted at C&D sites, 54 in the industrial sector and 64 related to DG sets.
The inspections identified 55 reported violations, comprising five at C&D sites, 35 in industrial units and 15 associated with DG sets. Based on these findings, various enforcement actions have been proposed, including the closure of two C&D projects and three industrial units, along with the sealing of 12 units across the industrial and DG sectors.
Additional proposed measures include compliance orders or directions in one C&D case, five industrial cases and one DG-related case. The Commission is also considering environmental compensation, re-inspections, referrals to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and advisories to project proponents and concerned authorities.
Flying Squads Inspect Over 28,000 Entities
The Enforcement Task Force also reviewed the cumulative enforcement performance of CAQM’s Flying Squads. As of October 16, 2026, the squads had inspected 28,868 units, projects and entities across the NCR. Based on these inspections, 1,837 closure directions had been issued.
Of these, 1,491 resumption orders were issued following verification of compliance. A further 130 cases were referred to the respective SPCBs or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decisions, while 216 entities were still awaiting resumption orders.
The Task Force also reviewed enforcement cases considered at its previous meeting. As of October 15, three resumption orders had been issued for C&D sites—two in Haryana and one in Uttar Pradesh. Three additional cases, comprising one industrial case and two C&D cases, were transferred to the relevant state pollution control boards or authorities for final decisions.
Focus on High-Polluting Industries
CAQM reiterated that inspections should preferably prioritise Red and Orange category industries, particularly units operating furnaces and boilers. The Flying Squads were also instructed to verify complete and accurate addresses before submitting inspection reports, following instances in which closure directions and official letters were returned undelivered.
The Commission emphasised stronger enforcement, timely verification of compliance and closer coordination among implementing agencies. It also called for expeditious action and continued inspections of industrial units, C&D activities and DG sets to improve compliance and support air pollution mitigation across the NCR.
The latest review highlights CAQM’s continued focus on identifying violations, pursuing enforcement measures and ensuring that regulated entities comply with prescribed pollution-control requirements.
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