NewKerala.com

Delhi Pollution Crackdown: 16 Industrial Units Ordered Shut in NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management has ordered the immediate closure of 16 industrial units across the National Capital Region for persistent environmental violations. Inspections revealed serious lapses, including operation without mandatory consents and non-functional air pollution control devices. The units were also found using unapproved fuel and operating during restricted periods under GRAP regulations. The CAQM has warned that strict enforcement actions will continue against all non-compliant industries.

Key Points: 16 NCR Industrial Units Shut for Pollution Violations

  • 16 units shut for violations
  • 14 units in Haryana's Sonipat
  • Non-functional pollution control devices
  • Use of unapproved fuel detected
  • Operation during restricted GRAP periods
2 min read

Delhi pollution: CAQM orders closure of 16 industrial units in NCR

CAQM orders closure of 16 industrial units in NCR for gross environmental violations, including unapproved fuel and non-functional pollution devices.

"non-compliance will not be tolerated and that strict enforcement actions... shall continue - CAQM statement"

New Delhi, Jan 9

The Commission for Air Quality Management on Friday issued closure directions to 16 industrial units located across the National Capital Region after detailed inspections revealed gross and persistent violations, an official said.

Of the 16 industrial units, one is located in Uttar Pradesh (NCR), one in Rajasthan (NCR) and the remaining 14 are in Sonipat district of Haryana, said the official.

The inspections were carried out as part of the Commission's continuous and intensified enforcement drive to curb air pollution and ensure strict compliance with statutory directions, said a statement issue by an official of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The inspections revealed a range of serious environmental violations, including establishment and operation without obtaining mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) as mandated under extant statutes and non-installation or non-functioning of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs), the statement said.

The CAQM teams also detected use of unapproved fuel; operation of units during restricted periods under GRAP; non-compliance of diesel generator (DG) sets with prescribed norms and visible smoke and emissions from industrial processes, said the statement.

In several cases, units were found operating in blatant disregard of extant statutes, statutory directions and environmental norms, it said.

The CAQM has taken a serious view of these lapses and directed the immediate closure of the defaulting units until requisite compliance with extant statutes and statutory directions is attained, it said.

The Commission reiterated that non-compliance will not be tolerated and that strict enforcement actions, including closure and other penal actions as per law, shall continue against defaulting industrial units.

All industries operating in the NCR are once again urged to strictly adhere to prescribed environmental norms, ensure proper installation and operation of APCDs and ensure compliance at all times, said the CAQM statement.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good step, but only 16 units? There must be hundreds flouting norms. The problem is the enforcement is sporadic. We need permanent, transparent monitoring and heavier fines. My child's asthma acts up every winter because of this.
R
Rohit P
Most of them are in Sonipat, Haryana. This shows the issue is regional, not just Delhi. We need a united front from all NCR governments. Why were they allowed to operate without CTE/CTO in the first place? The local pollution boards failed.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Gurgaon, the air quality is a major health concern. Using unapproved fuel and non-functional control devices is shocking. I hope this closure is permanent until they comply, not just a temporary fix for the headlines.
V
Vikram M
While I support strict action, I also think about the workers in these units. Sudden closure affects livelihoods. The authorities must have a system to guide these industries towards compliance, not just shut them down. Balance is needed.
K
Karthik V
"Blatant disregard" says it all. They know the rules, they choose to ignore them because profits come first. The CAQM statement is strong, but will it be followed through? We've seen units reopen quietly after a few weeks. Need public tracking of these cases.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50