In a decisive move against industrial pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the National Capital Region and adjoining areas has ordered the immediate shutdown of 16 industrial units. This action, announced on Friday, follows inspections that uncovered serious and repeated violations of environmental norms, as confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Widespread Violations Lead to Swift Action
The crackdown targeted units across the NCR and nearby regions. Fourteen of the closed units are located in Haryana's Sonipat district, with one each in the NCR areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The inspections, part of the Commission's intensified enforcement drive, revealed a pattern of blatant disregard for statutory regulations aimed at protecting air quality.
Officials found a range of severe environmental breaches. Key violations included industrial units being established and run without the mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO). Other major infractions involved the absence or non-functioning of air pollution control devices, the use of unapproved fuels, and operations continuing during periods restricted under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Additional offences noted were non-compliance of diesel generator sets with prescribed standards and visible smoke and emissions from industrial activities. The CAQM stated that these units were operating in "blatant disregard of extant statutes, statutory directions and environmental norms." The Commission has taken a serious view and directed closure until full compliance is achieved.
Operation Clean Air: Night Inspections in Delhi's NDMC Area
Parallel to the industrial crackdown, the CAQM's Flying Squads conducted a detailed inspection drive in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area on January 1, 2026. The exercise, part of the 'Operation Clean Air' initiative under GRAP, took place during evening hours from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Eleven teams were deployed across major NDMC jurisdictions, covering key areas like Chanakyapuri, Connaught Place, Khan Market, India Gate, and Parliament Street. The focus was on preventing the dumping and burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass, which are significant localised pollution sources.
The findings from 54 inspections were compiled using geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs. The report identified biomass or MSW burning at 18 locations and instances of waste dumping at 35 locations. Biomass burning was primarily observed near tea stalls and informal settlements for heating, while dumping was found along roadsides and near garbage collection points, creating a risk of open burning.
Zero-Tolerance Policy and Future Vigilance
The CAQM has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance. The Commission warned that strict enforcement measures, including closures and legal penalties, will continue against defaulting units. All industries operating in the NCR have been urged to strictly follow environmental norms, ensure proper installation and functioning of pollution control devices, and maintain compliance at all times.
While many areas in the NDMC were found clean, the detected instances highlight the need for increased vigilance, especially during evening and night hours. The authorities emphasized that even occasional waste dumping and localised biomass burning in otherwise clean areas can significantly harm air quality, necessitating ongoing preventive action.
This two-pronged enforcement action—targeting both industrial polluters and urban waste management—signals the CAQM's strengthened resolve to tackle the complex air quality challenges in the National Capital Region through continuous monitoring and strict statutory adherence.
