**Executive Summary**
On January 14, 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a night inspection drive in North Delhi under "Operation Clean Air." The inspection aimed to assess compliance regarding the prevention of municipal solid waste (MSW)/biomass burning and dumping. A report was submitted to the Commission detailing the findings. The CAQM will continue inspection and enforcement actions across Delhi-NCR.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inspection Details:**
* CAQM conducted a night inspection drive in North Delhi (Jahangir Puri, Shalimar Bagh, and Wazirpur areas).
* The drive assessed compliance regarding the prevention of MSW/biomass burning and dumping.
* **Findings:**
* 65 incidents were recorded: 20 in Jahangir Puri, 17 in Shalimar Bagh, and 28 in Wazirpur.
* These included 47 instances of biomass/MSW burning and 18 instances of MSW dumping.
* Biomass burning was observed near roadsides, tea stalls, shops, and open spaces.
* MSW dumping and accumulation were found at roadside locations, near markets, industrial pockets, parks, and garbage-vulnerable points.
* **Recommendations and Actions:**
* Enhanced vigilance is needed during evening and night hours, especially in densely populated residential and industrial areas.
* Strict enforcement of Solid Waste Management Rules is necessary.
* Strengthening of waste collection and lifting mechanisms, timely clearance of waste, and enhanced night-time monitoring are required.
* Local bodies and agencies (including MCD) have been advised to take immediate actions and ensure close coordination to prevent violations.
* **Future Actions:**
* Inspection and enforcement actions under ‘Operation Clean Air' will continue across Delhi-NCR.
* The Commission will work with agencies to ensure compliance with statutory directions and effective implementation of GRAP measures.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)**
* **Impact**: The CAQM needs to continue its inspection and enforcement actions under 'Operation Clean Air'.
* **Action Required**: Maintain a focused approach on identifying and eliminating localized pollution sources and ensure strict compliance with regulations.
**Stakeholder: Local Bodies and Agencies (Including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD))**
* **Impact**: These agencies are directly responsible for preventing MSW/biomass burning and dumping in their respective areas.
* **Action Required**: Take immediate necessary actions to prevent recurrence of violations, ensure close coordination and enforce solid waste management rules.
**Stakeholder: Residents of Delhi-NCR**
* **Impact**: Residents are affected by air pollution caused by MSW/biomass burning and dumping.
* **Action Required**: Residents need to cooperate with local authorities and refrain from burning waste and dumping it illegally.
**Stakeholder: Industries and Businesses in Delhi-NCR**
* **Impact**: Industries and businesses are expected to comply with waste management regulations and prevent waste burning or illegal dumping.
* **Action Required**: Ensure proper waste disposal practices and compliance with environmental regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The central entity responsible for conducting the night-time inspection drive and enforcing air quality regulations.
Operation Clean Air: The initiative under which the inspection drive was conducted to assess compliance and identify pollution sources.
North Delhi: The geographical area where the inspection drive took place.
Solid Waste Management Rules: The regulatory framework whose enforcement is emphasized by the Commission.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM conducts night inspection drive in North
Delhi; multiple instances of MSW/biomass
burning and waste dumping identified
प्रव तथ: 16 JAN 2026 7:23PM by PIB Delhi
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted a night-
time inspection drive in North Delhi on 14.01.2026 under ‘Operation Clean Air’ to assess on-ground
compliance related to prevention of municipal solid waste (MSW)/biomass burning and dumping, and to
identify localized sources of air pollution.
CAQM flying squad teams inspected the Jahangir Puri, Shalimar Bagh and Wazirpur areas of North Delhi.
Field inspections supported by geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic evidence were consolidated
into a detailed inspection report submitted to the Commission.
As per the report, 65 incidents were recorded across the three areas: 20 in Jahangir Puri, 17 in Shalimar
Bagh and 28 in Wazirpur. These included 47 instances of biomass/MSW burning (12 in Jahangir Puri, 14
in Shalimar Bagh and 21 in Wazirpur) and 18 instances of MSW dumping (08 in Jahangir Puri, 03 in
Shalimar Bagh and 07 in Wazirpur).
Biomass burning was largely observed along roadsides, near tea stalls, shops and open spaces, mainly for
heating during night hours. MSW dumping and accumulation were found at roadside locations, near
markets, industrial pockets, parks and garbage-vulnerable points.
The findings highlight the need for enhanced vigilance during evening and night hours, particularly in
densely populated residential areas and industrial pockets. Localized issues including waste dumping and
burning continue to remain significant contributors to air pollution during the ongoing winter season and
require sustained preventive and enforcement measures.
The Commission emphasized the need for strict enforcement of Solid Waste Management Rules,
strengthening of waste collection and lifting mechanisms, timely clearance of waste and enhanced night-
time monitoring to discourage biomass burning for heating purposes.
Concerned local bodies and agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other
land-owning agencies, have been advised to take immediate necessary actions and ensure close
coordination to prevent recurrence of such violations.
CAQM reiterated that inspection and enforcement actions under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue to be
undertaken regularly across Delhi-NCR, with a focused approach on identifying and eliminating localized
pollution sources. The Commission is working closely with all concerned agencies in the region to ensure
strict compliance with statutory directions, effective implementation of GRAP measures and abatement of
air pollution in the region.Operation Clean Air – #CAQM conducts evening/ night inspection drive in North
Delhi; multiple instances of MSW/ biomass burning and waste dumping
identified.
For more details, visit:https://t.co/2U8sXVWOYD pic.twitter.com/eF6hkMxn22
— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) January 16, 2026
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