Large-Scale Shutdown of Polluting Units in NCR to Tackle Air Pollution

Context:

• Amid worsening air quality in the Delhi–NCR region, regulatory authorities have intensified enforcement actions against pollution-emitting industries and construction activities.

• The measures form part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance with emission norms and strengthen institutional accountability in air pollution governance.

Key Highlights:

Regulatory Action by CAQM

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered the closure of 1,515 polluting units across the NCR.

• State-wise breakup of closures:

  • Delhi – 264 units

  • Haryana – 234 units

  • Uttar Pradesh – 637 units

  • Rajasthan – 121 units

• The action covered industrial units and construction sites violating pollution norms.

Air Quality Status and Monitoring

• According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

  • Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 351 (‘Very Poor’ category).

  • This marked a marginal improvement from 377 recorded the previous day.

• Despite local industrial controls, regional pollution transport remains a major challenge.

Industrial Pollution Profile in NCR

• Nearly 11,000 out of 50,000 operational industries in Delhi-NCR fall under the air-polluting category.

• While industries within Delhi contribute about 10% of local particulate pollution:

  • Up to two-thirds of PM2.5 in Delhi can originate from surrounding NCR districts.

• This highlights the inter-state nature of air pollution in the region.

Emission Standards and Scientific Review

• The CPCB commissioned IIT Kanpur to re-examine particulate matter (PM) emission standards for:

  • Emission-intensive industrial sectors

• Industries are classified using a pollution index, with:

  • ‘Red’ category industries facing the strictest emission norms

• The review aims to ensure science-based and updated emission benchmarks.

Fuel Use Restrictions and Enforcement Gaps

• CAQM regulations emphasize:

  • Restricting biomass and high-sulphur fuel use

  • Implementing a uniform approved fuel list across all four NCR states

  • Phasing out coal and high-sulphur furnace oils

• However, enforcement challenges persist:

  • Only a limited number of industries have real-time emissions monitoring

  • This creates regulatory and compliance gaps

Local-Level Inspections

• The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after inspecting:

  • 34 industrial premises in Narela and Bawana industrial areas

• The inspections revealed selective compliance and uneven enforcement.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS Paper 2 (Governance):

  • Role of statutory bodies in environmental regulation

  • Centre–State coordination in pollution control

  • Regulatory enforcement and compliance mechanisms

• GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology):

  • Air pollution sources and mitigation

  • Industrial emissions and fuel standards

  • Scientific inputs in environmental policymaking

• Prelims:

  • CAQM, CPCB, AQI categories

  • ‘Red’ category industries

  • PM2.5 and emission norms