The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has taken a stringent step against industrial pollution in the National Capital Region by ordering the closure of 248 industrial units. These units have been found non-compliant for failing to migrate to a crucial new online emissions monitoring portal.
Strict Action for Non-Compliance
In a decisive move, the CPCB has directed state pollution control boards and committees across NCR states to shut down the air polluting units. These units missed repeated deadlines to shift to the upgraded Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS). A significant portion of these defaulting units, more than 100, are located within the city of Gurgaon.
A regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) confirmed the situation, stating that over 100 industrial units in Gurgaon alone failed to make the transition. They now face imminent closure if they do not complete the compliance process immediately.
What is the New OCEMS Portal?
The CPCB has introduced a more robust platform named ODAMS (Online Data Acquisition and Management System). This system is designed to capture real-time emissions and effluent data directly from industrial stacks and outlets. The data is transmitted automatically to the pollution board's servers, eliminating any third-party handling.
This technological upgrade allows regulators to monitor pollution levels continuously, moving away from the older method of relying on periodic self-reported submissions from industries. The new system incorporates several advanced features:
- Standardised calibration protocols for accuracy.
- Geotagging of monitoring equipment to prevent tampering.
- Advanced data analytics for better insights.
- Automated alerts for authorities to quickly flag issues.
These features empower authorities to swiftly identify excess emissions, equipment downtime, and any potential attempts at data manipulation.
Deadlines Ignored and Final Warning
According to the CPCB, the non-compliant units were already connected to the earlier version of the OCEMS platform. However, they did not shift to the new ODAMS system by the mandatory deadline of October 15 last year. This failure occurred despite clear directions issued on September 23 and daily open video conferences held to support the transition process.
The board emphasized the critical need for this action, citing the persistently poor air quality in Delhi-NCR and the necessity for strict vigilance. "Considering the poor air quality in Delhi-NCR and the need for strict vigilance, it is necessary that these air-polluting industrial units be onboarded on the new OCEMS portal," the CPCB stated.
State boards have now been directed to issue closure notices to units that remain non-compliant if they do not complete their registration by January 22. The shutdowns will officially take effect from January 23, 2026. The respective boards must also submit action-taken and compliance reports to the CPCB.
In industrial hubs of Gurgaon like Udyog Vihar and Manesar, officials view this order as a clear signal of stricter enforcement. It establishes that digital non-compliance in emissions monitoring is a serious offence that will now draw direct shutdown action, marking a new phase in environmental regulation.
