CAQM’s Enforcement Task Force reviews inspection outcomes, enforcement actions; further strengthens compliance mechanisms across NCR

**Executive Summary** The 128th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the CAQM was held on April 2, 2026, to review air quality compliance and enforcement actions across the NCR for the period of March 14–26, 2026. The meeting highlighted 175 recent inspections, resulting in proposed closures, equipment sealing, and financial penalties to curb pollution. Key upcoming actions include the restructuring of Flying Squad teams and intensified monitoring of priority sectors such as stone crushers and road dust management. **Key Points / Main Content** **Inspection Outcomes (March 14 – March 26, 2026)** * **Total Inspections:** 175 inspections were conducted, including 114 for Diesel Generator (DG) sets, 37 in the industrial sector, and 23 at Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites. * **Enforcement Actions:** Proposals were made for 10 unit closures, 27 DG set sealings, 08 Show Cause Notices (SCNs), and 01 instance of Environmental Compensation (EC). * **Sectoral Violations:** In Meerut and Faridabad, 140 violations related to road dust management were identified across 16 zones. **Cumulative Enforcement Status (as of April 2, 2026)** * **Total Reach:** Flying Squads have inspected 26,672 units, projects, and entities to date. * **Compliance Orders:** 1,755 closure directions have been issued; 1,330 resumption orders were subsequently granted following compliance verification. * **Pending Cases:** 123 cases have been transferred to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or the DPCC, while 302 entities are currently under examination. **Future Compliance and Strategy** * **Priority Sectors:** Future inspections will focus on DG sets (per Direction No. 76), C&D sites, road dust, and stone crushers. * **Operational Restructuring:** Flying Squad teams are undergoing restructuring, with revised compositions to be issued shortly to improve efficiency. * **Institutional Coordination:** The Commission emphasized the need for stronger inter-agency coordination and expedited follow-up actions by concerned agencies. **Impact Analysis** **Industrial and Construction Entities** **Impact:** These sectors are subject to rigorous monitoring and face immediate operational halts (closures/sealing) or financial penalties for environmental non-compliance. **Action Required:** Ensure strict adherence to prescribed environmental norms and specific directions (e.g., Direction No. 76 for DG sets) to avoid enforcement actions. **Municipal Bodies (specifically Meerut and Faridabad)** **Impact:** Local authorities are being held accountable for failures in road dust management and repeated non-compliance. **Action Required:** Implement immediate corrective actions to address identified violations and respond to Show Cause Notices. **CAQM Flying Squads** **Impact:** Field teams are subject to organizational restructuring to enhance inspection efficiency and accountability. **Action Required:** Adapt to revised team compositions and shift focus toward identified priority sectors. **State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and DPCC** **Impact:** These bodies have been assigned a backlog of 123 transferred cases for final decision-making. **Action Required:** Expedite follow-up actions and finalize decisions on transferred cases to ensure timely enforcement.

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