CAQM reviews enforcement, compliance status and industrial inspections across NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR (CAQM) flying squads conducted 199 inspections across the National Capital Region (NCR) between May 30 and June 13 to identify and control sources of air pollution.

The CAQM Enforcement Task Force (ETF) carried out inspections at 10 Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites, 94 industrial units and 95 locations related to Diesel Generator (DG) sets.

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According to the inspection report, a total of 66 violations were detected across these sectors, including eight violations at C&D sites, 23 in the industrial sector and 35 related to DG sets.

Based on the inspection findings, proposals have been made for the closure of four units/projects, sealing of 29 DG sets, issuance of 12 compliance directions/orders and imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) in two cases.

The ETF also reviewed the action taken following its 132nd meeting and noted that all actionable cases related to C&D sites and DG sets have been addressed.

It was further noted that 12 resumption orders have been issued after verification of compliance since the last ETF meeting. These include six orders related to industrial units and six pertaining to C&D sites. State-wise, eight resumption orders were issued in Uttar Pradesh, three in Haryana and one in Delhi.

The ETF also reviewed the findings of a special inspection drive conducted in June in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, covering 10 industrial units. Of these, only one unit was found compliant, while nine were found non-compliant.

The common deficiencies observed included non-functional or inadequate pollution control infrastructure, such as non-operational wet scrubbers and cyclones, non-functional Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs), inadequate functioning of Fume Extraction Systems (FES) and poor maintenance of pollution control equipment.

Inspection teams also reported deficiencies in stack monitoring infrastructure, including the absence of monitoring facilities, incorrect stack heights and non-compliance with prescribed stack monitoring norms.

In some units, operational violations such as failure to meet emission standards, use of RDF without requisite pre-treatment and non-compliance with provisions under Direction No. 76 issued by the Commission were also observed. Enforcement action is being initiated against the violating units.

The Commission emphasised the need for timely submission of inspection reports by flying squad teams along with photographic and videographic evidence.

Further, cases have been forwarded to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decisions, while several entities remain under examination for issuance of resumption orders.