CAQM asks industries to install online pollution monitoring systems and control devices by December 31

Aiming to curb emissions from some of the most polluting industries in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday directed 2,254 industrial units to install calibrated Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) by December 31, 2025. These units fall under 17 identified air-polluting categories, including metal, textiles, food and food processing, and other red and medium-category industries that are among the key contributors to Delhi’s PM2.5 load.

According to CAQM officials, the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have been instructed to supervise the implementation of these directions and take strict action against violators, even to the extent of issuing closure orders for non-compliant units. Officials said delinquent industries would initially be “handheld” to encourage voluntary and accelerated installation of OCEMS and APCDs, but enforcement will tighten after the deadline.

Advertisement

CPCB informed that an SOP for OCEMS installation has already been issued, and NCR SPCBs have been directed to ensure early and verified installation. The commission is also monitoring market prices of monitoring and pollution-control devices to prevent price escalations that could delay compliance, according to an official press statement.

Of the roughly 3,500 industries operating in Delhi, 2,254 fall into the polluting category and are covered under this mandate. Once installed, OCEMS will allow regulators to track emissions in real time, and any unit breaching permissible limits will face immediate action, officials said.

The decision was taken on Wednesday during a sixth high-level meeting conducted by the Environment Ministry along with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, CAQM, CPCB, Government of NCT of Delhi, Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other concerned agencies.