**Executive Summary**
The 131st meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was held on May 18, 2026, to review compliance in the National Capital Region (NCR). During the reporting period of April 29 to May 10, 2026, 125 inspections were conducted, identifying 39 violations across the industrial, construction, and power sectors. The review emphasized immediate enforcement actions, road dust mitigation, and the necessity of photographic evidence in reporting to ensure strict adherence to environmental norms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inspection Outcomes (April 29 – May 10, 2026)**
* Flying Squads conducted 125 inspections: 54 related to DG sets, 51 in the industrial sector, and 20 at Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites.
* A total of 39 violations were detected: 19 for DG sets, 10 for industrial units, and 10 for C&D sites.
* Proposed enforcement actions include the closure of 07 units, sealing of 13 DG sets, issuance of 12 Show Cause Notices (SCNs), and 04 cases of Environmental Compensation (EC).
* **Resumption and Cumulative Status**
* 17 resumption orders were issued following compliance verification (13 industrial units and 04 C&D sites).
* Cumulatively, 27,133 inspections have been conducted to date, resulting in 1,784 Closure Directions.
* 1,382 Resumption Orders have been issued, while 123 cases were transferred to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or the DPCC for final decisions.
* **Road Dust Mitigation**
* The NOIDA Authority inspected 46 areas on May 8, 2026, reporting 28 violations.
* Show Cause Notices have been issued specifically for repeat violations regarding road dust.
* **Operational Directives for Flying Squads**
* Flying Squads are required to submit inspection reports in a timely manner.
* Reports must now include photographic and videographic evidence.
* Inspections must prioritize the verification of fuel details, compliance with Direction No. 76 for DG sets, and adherence to Consent to Operate (CTO) conditions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industrial and Construction Entities**
**Impact**
Units face heightened scrutiny regarding fuel usage, DG set compliance, and site-level dust management. Non-compliant units are subject to immediate closure, sealing, or heavy financial penalties.
**Action Required**
Strictly adhere to environmental norms, fulfill CTO conditions, and ensure DG sets comply with Direction No. 76.
**Flying Squad Teams**
**Impact**
Increased accountability for the quality and timing of reporting.
**Action Required**
Submit inspection reports promptly and ensure all findings are supported by photographic or videographic evidence.
**Local Authorities (e.g., NOIDA Authority)**
**Impact**
Direct responsibility for monitoring and penalizing localized pollution sources like road dust.
**Action Required**
Increase frequency of area inspections and take legal action (SCNs) against repeat violators.
**State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and DPCC**
**Impact**
Responsible for the final resolution of non-compliance cases escalated by the Commission.
**Action Required**
Review and issue final decisions on the 123 transferred cases and manage the 279 entities currently under examination.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The primary regulatory body responsible for reviewing enforcement actions and air quality compliance in the National Capital Region.
Enforcement Task Force (ETF): A specialized unit within the CAQM that monitors inspections, violations, and enforcement status across industrial and construction sectors.
National Capital Region (NCR): The central geographic area where the air quality inspections and enforcement actions are strictly applied.
Direction No. 76: A specific regulatory directive issued by the Commission concerning compliance standards for Diesel Generator (DG) sets.
Consent to Operate (CTO): A mandatory regulatory requirement for industrial units to ensure adherence to environmental norms during inspections.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Enforcement Task Force reviews
compliance status across NCR; 125 inspections
carried out in 12 days
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 6:04PM by PIB Delhi
The 131st meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management
in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was held on 18.05.2026 to review enforcement actions, inspections
and compliance status across the National Capital Region (NCR) for the reporting period from 29.04.2026
to 10.05.2026.
During the review, it was noted that a total of 125 inspections were carried out by the Flying Squads of the
Commission during the 12-day reporting period, resulting in detection of 39 violations across
Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites, industrial sector and Diesel Generator (DG) sets.
The inspections included 20 inspections across C&D sites, 51 inspections across industrial sector and 54
inspections related to DG sets. Out of the 39 violations reported, 10 pertained to C&D sites, 10 to
industrial sector and 19 to DG set violations.
Based on the inspection reports for reported violations, closure of 07 units/projects, sealing of 13 DG sets,
issuance of 12 Show Cause Notices (SCNs), imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) in 04 cases
and issuance of advisory to units in 03 cases have been proposed. Out of the proposed enforcement
actions, 06 actions have already been completed, while several other actions are under process.
The Task Force also reviewed actions taken pursuant to the 130th ETF meeting and noted that all
actionable cases pertaining to industrial sector, C&D sector and DG sets have been acted upon by the
concerned agencies. A total of 17 resumption orders have also been issued after verification of
compliance, including 13 pertaining to industrial units and 04 related to C&D sites across NCR.
The ETF further reviewed the issue of road dust mitigation and took note of inspections carried out by
NOIDA Authority on 08.05.2026 wherein 46 areas were inspected and 28 violations were reported. Show
Cause Notices have been issued for repeat violations.
The Commission emphasized the need for timely submission of inspection reports by Flying Squad teams
along with photographic/videographic evidence. Directions were also reiterated for verification of fuel
details, DG set compliance under Direction No. 76 and compliance of Consent to Operate (CTO)
conditions during inspections.
The updated cumulative enforcement status as on 18.05.2026 was also reviewed during the meeting. It
was noted that a total of 27,133 units/projects/entities have been inspected so far by the Flying Squads of
the Commission. Based on these inspections, 1,784 Closure Directions have been issued, out of which
1,382 Resumption Orders have been issued upon verification of compliance. Further, 123 cases have been
transferred to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Committee
(DPCC) for final decision, while 279 entities remain under examination.The Commission reiterated the need for strengthened enforcement mechanisms, timely compliance
verification, improved coordination among implementing agencies and strict adherence to environmental
norms for effective abatement of air pollution across NCR. Continued focus was also laid on enhancing
inspection efficiency, ensuring accountability and expediting enforcement actions in priority sectors
including industrial emissions, DG sets, C&D activities and road dust management.
*****
VM/GS
(Release ID: 2262896) Visitor Counter : 127
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil