CAQM Cracks Down on Pollution: Closures and Seals Proposed Across Delhi NCR
CAQM's enforcement task force reviews 124 inspections in Delhi NCR, proposing closures and seals for pollution violations.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas (CAQM) has intensified its battle against air pollution, conducting a comprehensive review of CAQM compliance status NCR during the 141st meeting of its enforcement task force (ETF) on October 16. The meeting focused on the effectiveness of enforcement actions, inspection findings, and the overall status of compliance across the National Capital Region.
Inspection Blitz: The Numbers
Between September 25 and October 9, the task force monitored a rigorous 15-day reporting period. During this window, a total of 124 inspections were carried out to identify pollution hotspots and regulatory breaches. The breakdown of these inspections is as follows:
- Diesel Generator (DG) sets: 64 inspections
- Industrial sector: 54 inspections
- Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites: 6 inspections
Out of these, 55 violations were uncovered. The industrial sector saw the highest number of breaches with 35 violations, followed by 15 related to DG sets and five at C&D sites.
Strict Enforcement: Closures and Sealing
Following the findings, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed several stringent enforcement actions to deter polluters. The proposed measures include:
- Closures: Two C&D projects and three industrial units are facing closure.
- Sealing: 12 units across the industrial and DG sectors are slated to be sealed.
- Compliance Orders: Directions for compliance have been issued in one C&D case, five industrial cases, and one DG-related instance.
Furthermore, the commission is implementing the imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC), ordering re-inspections, and forwarding critical cases to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
Resumption and Transfers
The ETF also tracked the progress of previous orders. As of October 15, three resumption orders were issued for C&D sites—two in Haryana and one in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, three cases (one industrial in Delhi and two C&D in Haryana) were transferred to the respective SPCBs or authorities for a final verdict.
The Big Picture: Flying Squads' Impact
The scale of the CAQM's operation is evident in the cumulative data of its Flying Squads. As of October 16, 2026, these squads have inspected a staggering 28,868 units, projects, and entities across the NCR.
The results of these massive efforts include:
- 1,837 Closure Directions issued in total.
- 1,491 Resumption Orders granted after compliance was verified.
- 130 cases transferred to SPCBs or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
- 216 entities still awaiting resumption orders.
Strategic Focus and Future Directives
To make the crackdown more effective, the Commission has issued specific guidelines for future operations. The ETF emphasized that inspections should prioritize Red and Orange category industries, with a particular focus on those utilizing boilers and furnaces.
Addressing administrative lapses, the Flying Squads were strictly instructed to verify the complete and accurate addresses of entities before submitting reports. This move comes after several Closure Directions and official letters were returned undelivered.
The Commission concluded by stressing the need for strengthened enforcement, timely verification of compliance, and seamless coordination between implementing agencies to ensure a significant reduction in air pollution across the NCR.