Inspection Campaign Against Polluting Industries

Summary of Inspection Campaign by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Date of Operation: August 25, 2026
Location: Loni, Ghaziabad, National Capital Region (NCR)

Key Facts:

• Objective: To identify illegally operating industrial units that do not comply with environmental regulations.
• Methodology: Special inspection campaign under "Operation Clean Air" involving seven flying squads comprising magistrates, police, and officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).
• Total Inspected Units: 28 industrial complexes.

Findings:

• All inspected units were found non-compliant with applicable environmental standards.
• Major violations included:
  • 21 Instances: Operation without valid Consent to Operate (CTO).
  • 14 Instances: Use of unapproved fuels like wood and coal.
  • 8 Instances: Operation of furnaces without necessary air pollution control devices (APCD) and stack/chimney arrangements.
  • Activities such as open painting/powder coating and illegal industrial operations were also detected.

Actions Taken:

• Sealing of Units: 16 industrial units were sealed due to violations.
• Notices Issued:
  • 6 Show Cause Notices (SCNs) were issued to the respective units.
  • Notices were affixed to 6 other units, including those found vacated or abandoned upon inspection.

Regulatory Framework:

• The CAQM reiterated the necessity for strict adherence to environmental standards for all industrial operations in NCR.
• Operating without valid legal consent, using unapproved fuels, and lacking necessary pollution control infrastructure are considered serious violations warranting strict enforcement actions.

Future Directions:

• The CAQM emphasized the continuation of inspection and enforcement campaigns across NCR under Operation Clean Air to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Relevant agencies were instructed to implement necessary actions against units violating environmental rules.

Conclusion:

The campaign highlights the commitment of the CAQM to enforce environmental regulations rigorously and combat pollution from industrial sources in the NCR, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.