The 139th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) reviewed enforcement activities, inspections, and compliance in the National Capital Region (NCR) for the period from August 24 to September 7, 2026.
During these 15 days, a total of 150 inspections were conducted, comprising seven at Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites, 98 in the Industrial Sector, and 45 related to Diesel Generator (DG) sets.
A special inspection drive took place in Nuh, Haryana, on September 3. Eight teams from the Commission’s Flying Squads, working with District Administration, Police personnel, and officers from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), inspected 35 premises. Of these, 13 units were compliant, seven were locked and scheduled for reinspection by the State Pollution Control Board, and recommended actions included a personal hearing in one case, sealing of a DG set in another, issuance of orders in seven cases, and imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) in six cases.
Proposed enforcement measures based on observed violations include the closure of three C&D projects and one industrial unit; sealing of 25 DG sets across C&D sites, industrial units, and other units; and issuance of compliance orders in one C&D case, two industrial cases, and three DG-related cases involving ten DG sets. EC has also been proposed in two industrial cases. Additional cases have been identified for actions such as issuing letters to project proponents, reinspection, prosecution, or referral to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The meeting reviewed resumption orders issued following the previous ETF meeting. As of September 10, six resumption orders were issued, including one for an industrial unit and five for C&D sites, with three each in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The cumulative enforcement status as of September 14 was also examined. The Flying Squads have inspected 28,547 units or projects across the NCR to date. These inspections have resulted in 1,829 Closure Directions, with 1,479 Resumption Orders issued after verification of compliance. Furthermore, 126 cases were transferred to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decisions, while 224 entities remain under review for resumption orders.
The Commission emphasized the importance of strengthening enforcement, ensuring timely verification of compliance, and enhancing coordination among implementing agencies to enforce prescribed air quality norms effectively. It called for prompt enforcement actions, rigorous compliance monitoring, and continued inspections in priority sectors such as industrial units, C&D activities, and DG sets to mitigate air pollution across the NCR.