Air Quality Management Commission Review

Air Quality Management in NCR: Enforcement Actions and Compliance Review

Event Overview:

• The 134th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took place on July 6, 2026, focusing on enforcement actions, compliance status, and sector-specific inspections in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Inspection Data:

• Total Inspections: 173 conducted from June 14 to June 30, 2026.
  • By Sector:
    • Construction and Demolition (C&D) Sites: 15 inspections
    • Industrial Areas: 91 inspections
    • Diesel Generating (DG) Sets: 67 inspections
• Violations Identified: 62 instances reported.
  • Breakdown of Violations:
    • C&D Sites: 7 violations
    • Industrial Areas: 31 violations
    • DG Sets: 24 violations

Enforcement Actions Proposed:

• Closure of 4 units/projects.
• Sealing of 27 DG sets.
• Issuance of 6 compliance orders/instructions.
• Environmental Compensation (EC) proposed in 17 cases.

Follow-Up on Previous Decisions:

• Review of actions taken based on decisions from the 133rd ETF meeting confirmed that relevant agencies acted on all necessary cases in the industrial, construction, and DG set sectors.
• Restoration Orders Issued: 7 orders for C&D sites, including 2 in Uttar Pradesh and 5 in Haryana, after ensuring compliance.

Cumulative Enforcement Status (as of July 6, 2026):

• Total Inspections Conducted: 27,750 units/projects/entities inspected.
• Closure Directives Issued: 1,802, with 1,424 restoration orders granted post-compliance.
• Cases forwarded for final decision to State Pollution Control Boards (APCBs) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC): 123.
• Ongoing investigations for restoration orders for 255 entities.

Key Recommendations:

• Emphasis on a robust enforcement mechanism to reduce air pollution in NCR.
• Importance of timely compliance checks and coordination among implementing agencies.
• Strict adherence to established criteria, particularly in industrial emissions, DG sets, and C&D activities.
• Focus on enhancing inspection efficiency and accountability, and expediting enforcement actions.

Constitutional and Policy Context:

• The CAQM operates under the constitutional mandate to safeguard the environment, as outlined in Article 48A of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which directs the state to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• The enforcement and regulatory measures align with the objectives of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aimed at improving air quality across urban areas in India.

Conclusion: The ETF's review and enforcement actions are critical in addressing air quality challenges in the NCR, highlighting the need for stringent compliance and proactive measures to mitigate environmental pollution.