efforts to abate air pollution in NCR

The 126th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was held to review enforcement and inspection activities undertaken across the National Capital Region (NCR) from 4 February 2026 to 18 February 2026.

The Task Force comprehensively reviewed the inspections conducted by flying squads across key sectors contributing to air pollution, including industrial units, construction and demolition (C&D) activities, road dust, diesel generator (DG) sets, and incidents related to municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass burning.

The remaining enforcement actions arising from violations reported at the 125th ETF meeting were also examined, along with proposed actions regarding violations identified during the period.

During the reporting period, a total of 318 inspections including 04 in the construction and demolition sector, 306 in the industrial sector and 08 pertaining to diesel generator (DG) sets violations were carried out by the flying squads across NCR, out of which 131 violations, including 04 from C&D sector, 123 (reports received till the morning of 20 February 2026) from the industrial sector and 04 for DG sets were reported.

Further, closures have been proposed for 39 units, sealing of DG sets has been proposed for 10 units, show cause notices (SCNs) have been issued to 15 units, and 28 reports are under examination.

During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the inspection of road dust mitigation measures, including mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling, maintenance of paved shoulders, and compliance with prescribed dust mitigation measures.

The inspection findings were reviewed in detail, and the concerned agencies were advised to ensure on-the-ground vigilance and strict adherence to dust abatement measures, especially in high-traffic corridors and urban hotspots.

Further, as per the cumulative enforcement status as of 23 February 2026, a total of 26,328 units, projects, and entities have been inspected by the Commission’s Flying Squads.

Based on these inspections, 1,686 closure directions have been issued for non-compliance, so far. Out of these, 1,290 resumption orders have been issued upon verification of compliance by the concerned units.

Further, 123 cases have been transferred to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decision, while resumption orders in respect of the remaining 273 entities are under examination in accordance with due process.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to sustained efforts to abate air pollution in NCR, with sustained enforcement and coordinated action among the concerned agencies.