The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed the closure of 16 industrial units in the National Capital Region (NCR) due to severe violations uncovered during inspections. These units, spread across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Sonipat district in Haryana, were found to be operating in defiance of environmental regulations. The inspections, part of CAQM’s enforcement efforts against air pollution, exposed various infractions such as lack of necessary permits and non-functioning of pollution control devices.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change official highlighted that the violations included operating without essential Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) permits, as well as failure to install or operate Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs). Additionally, the units were using unauthorized fuel, disregarding restricted operational periods under GRAP, and emitting visible smoke and pollutants from their processes. The CAQM teams emphasized the need for strict adherence to environmental norms and statutory requirements to combat pollution effectively.
In response to the non-compliance, the CAQM has ordered the immediate shutdown of these industrial units until they rectify their violations and comply with the necessary regulations. The Commission emphasized a zero-tolerance approach towards such lapses and warned of continued enforcement actions, including closures and penalties, for non-compliant entities. Industries in the NCR were urged to uphold environmental standards, ensure proper functioning of pollution control devices, and maintain compliance with regulations to mitigate air pollution effectively.
