**Executive Summary**
The 129th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was held on April 17, 2026, to review enforcement actions in the National Capital Region (NCR). During the reporting period of March 27, 2026, to April 10, 2026, 162 inspections were conducted, resulting in 64 reported violations and various enforcement proposals. The Task Force emphasized priority enforcement in sectors such as Diesel Generator (DG) sets and road dust management while highlighting the need for improved inter-agency coordination.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Inspection and Violation Statistics (Reporting Period)**
* **Total Inspections:** 162 inspections were carried out by flying squads across key sectors.
* **Sector Breakdown:** Inspections included 109 DG set checks, 28 industrial sector visits, and 25 Construction & Demolition (C&D) site reviews.
* **Reported Violations:** 64 total violations were identified, comprising 42 from DG sets, 14 from C&D sites, and 08 from the industrial sector.
**Enforcement Proposals and Actions**
* **Proposed Penalties:** Based on recent inspections, the ETF proposed closure for 09 units, sealing of DG sets for 18 units, issuance of 11 show cause notices (SCNs), and environmental compensation (EC) for 06 units.
* **Issued Actions:** Since the previous meeting on April 2, 2026, a total of 46 letters for closure, SCNs, sealing, or EC have been issued.
**Special Enforcement Drive**
* **Gurugram Drive:** A special inspection on April 7, 2026, focused on road dust mitigation in the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram.
* **Results:** 126 violations were reported, leading to directives for municipal authorities to take corrective actions and issue SCNs for repeat non-compliance.
**Cumulative Enforcement Status**
* **Total Inspections to Date:** 26,834 units, projects, or entities have been inspected by the Commission's flying squads.
* **Direction Orders:** A total of 1,765 closure directions have been issued, with 1,349 resumption orders granted following compliance verification.
* **Pending Cases:** 123 cases have been transferred to SPCBs/DPCC for final decisions, and 293 entities are currently under examination for resumption.
**Strategic Focus and Coordination**
* **Priority Sectors:** Focus remains on DG sets (per Direction No. 76), C&D activities, industrial emissions, and road dust management.
* **Operational Goals:** The Commission aims to enhance inspection efficiency, improve data integrity, ensure accountability, and strengthen inter-agency coordination for effective air pollution abatement.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industrial and Construction Entities**
**Impact**
These sectors are subject to intensified monitoring and strict enforcement, with 1,765 closure directions issued to date for non-compliance.
**Action Required**
Entities must strictly adhere to prescribed environmental norms and C&D guidelines to avoid closures, SCNs, or financial penalties.
**Diesel Generator (DG) Set Owners**
**Impact**
DG sets are a primary enforcement priority, accounting for the highest number of inspections (109) and violations (42) during the reporting period.
**Action Required**
Owners must ensure full compliance with Direction No. 76 to prevent the sealing of equipment.
**Municipal Authorities (e.g., Municipal Corporation of Gurugram)**
**Impact**
Local authorities are being held accountable for road dust mitigation and face direct oversight from the ETF following high violation counts.
**Action Required**
Authorities must implement corrective measures and issue SCNs to repeat offenders to ensure ground-level compliance.
**State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / DPCC**
**Impact**
These agencies are responsible for the final adjudication of enforcement cases transferred from the Commission.
**Action Required**
Agencies must expedite follow-up actions and final decisions on the 123 cases currently transferred to them.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The primary statutory body responsible for air quality management, monitoring, and enforcement across the National Capital Region.
National Capital Region (NCR): The central geographic area of applicability for the air quality inspections and enforcement actions reviewed by the Commission.
Enforcement Task Force (ETF): A specialized body within CAQM that conducts reviews of inspections, violations, and corrective enforcement actions in key sectors.
Direction No. 76: A specific regulatory directive issued by the Commission governing the focused enforcement and compliance of Diesel Generator (DG) sets.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC): The regional regulatory authorities responsible for final decisions on environmental compliance cases transferred by the CAQM.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM reviews enforcement actions across NCR;
162 inspections conducted
Posted On: 18 APR 2026 7:27PM by PIB Delhi
The 129th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management
in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was held on 17.04.2026 to review enforcement actions and
inspections undertaken across the National Capital Region (NCR) for the reporting period from
27.03.2026 to 10.04.2026. During this 15-day period, 162 inspections were carried out and 64 violations
were reported across key sectors.
The inspections were conducted by the flying squads of the Commission and covered 25 inspections
across Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites, 28 inspections across the industrial sector and 109
inspections related to Diesel Generator (DG) sets. A total of 64 violations were reported, including 14
from C&D sites, 08 from the industrial sector and 42 across DG sets.
Based on the inspection reports, closure has been proposed for 09 units, sealing of DG sets for 18 units,
issuance of show cause notices (SCNs) for 11 units and environmental compensation (EC) for 06 units.
The Task Force also reviewed actions taken since the last ETF meeting held on 02.04.2026. It noted that a
total of 46 closure/SCN/sealing/EC letters have been issued during this period, including 09 from the
industrial sector, 06 from C&D sites and 31 from DG sets.
The Task Force further took note of special enforcement drives, including inspections related to road dust
mitigation conducted in the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram on 07.04.2026, wherein multiple zones
were inspected and 126 violations were reported. The concerned municipal authorities have been directed
to take necessary corrective actions, including issuance of SCNs in cases of repeated non-compliance.
The Task Force highlighted the need for focused enforcement in priority sectors, particularly DG sets (in
line with Direction No. 76), C&D activities, industrial emissions and road dust management. It
emphasised strengthening inter-agency coordination and expediting follow-up actions to ensure effective
compliance on ground.
Further, the updated cumulative enforcement status as on 17.04.2026 was reviewed. It was noted that a
total of 26,834 units/projects/entities have been inspected so far by the flying squads of the Commission.
Based on these inspections, 1,765 closure directions have been issued, out of which 1,349 resumption
orders have been issued upon verification of compliance. A total of 123 cases have been transferred to the
respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final
decision, while 293 entities remain under examination for consideration of resumption orders.
The Commission reiterated the need for robust enforcement, improved data integrity, strengthened inter-
agency coordination and strict adherence to prescribed environmental norms to ensure effective abatement
of air pollution across NCR. It emphasised continued focus on enhancing inspection efficiency, ensuring
accountability at all levels and expediting enforcement actions to achieve sustained improvements in air
quality.*****
GS
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