CAQM reviews enforcement status across NCR, 197 inspections conducted in 17 days
The CAQM Enforcement Task Force reviewed 197 inspections across NCR, targeting industrial units, construction sites, and DG sets to curb pollution.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has intensified its crackdown on pollution violators across the National Capital Region (NCR). In a massive enforcement drive spanning just 17 days from September 8 to September 24, authorities conducted 197 inspections targeting various high-pollution sectors.
During the 140th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) held on October 1, officials reviewed the heavy-handed actions taken against industries, construction sites, and diesel generator users to ensure compliance with environmental norms.
Breakdown of the 17-Day Inspection Blitz
The recent wave of inspections focused on three primary areas of concern for air quality in the NCR. The breakdown of the 197 inspections is as follows:
- Industrial Sector: 111 inspections (including 22 as part of a special drive).
- Diesel Generator (DG) Sets: 76 inspections.
- Construction & Demolition (C&D) Sites: 10 inspections.
The crackdown yielded significant results, with 85 cases of violations reported. These included 49 industrial violations, 28 related to DG sets, and 8 involving C&D sites.
Strict Penalties and Closure Orders
To curb the rising pollution levels, the CAQM has proposed several stringent enforcement measures. The authorities are not pulling any punches, with proposed actions including:
- Closures: 4 C&D projects and 1 industrial unit are facing closure.
- Sealing: 28 DG sets have been marked for sealing.
- Financial Penalties: Environmental Compensation (EC) is being imposed in 10 cases.
- Compliance Orders: 17 cases have been issued direct orders for immediate compliance.
Special Drive in Hapur and Loni
The Commission's Flying Squads have been particularly active in Uttar Pradesh. In Hapur, a joint operation involving the District Administration, Police, and UPPCB inspected 22 premises. The results were stark, with most units failing to meet standards, leading to recommendations for unit closures and prosecutions.
A separate, highly focused inspection drive was conducted in Loni, Ghaziabad, on September 29. In a damning report, 7 inspection teams visited 21 units, and all 21 were found to be non-compliant. The violations in Loni were extensive, including:
- Operating furnaces without adequate chimneys or Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs).
- Running industrial units without a valid Consent to Operate (CTO).
- Using unapproved fuels like coal.
- Operating in non-conforming areas.
- Conducting waste processing without proper environmental safeguards.
Alarmingly, inspectors even noted that some previously sealed premises showed signs of continued illegal operation, with the sounds of metal activity being heard from within the restricted sites.
Cumulative Enforcement Status
The scale of the CAQM's oversight is massive. Since the inception of its flying squad operations, the Commission has inspected a staggering 28,744 units, projects, and entities across the NCR. To date, this has resulted in 1,831 closure directions, with 1,488 units being allowed to resume operations only after strict verification of their compliance with environmental laws.