CPCB directs closure action against non-compliant Delhi-NCR industries

New Delhi: Industrial units across Delhi-NCR that have not taken steps to install or upgrade pollution-control equipment now face closure, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ordering immediate enforcement action against defaulters.

The CPCB has instructed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the pollution control boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to serve show-cause notices on industries that have failed to place work orders for Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs). The action is aimed at ensuring compliance with the revised particulate matter emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³, which came into effect on October 1, 2026.

Issued under Section 18(1)(b) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the direction covers units brought under the Commission for Air Quality Management’s Direction No. 98. These include 17 highly polluting industry categories identified by the CPCB, medium and large red-category units, food and food-processing industries, textile units using boilers or thermic fluid heaters, and metal industries operating furnaces in the National Capital Region.

The stricter norm was originally announced by the CAQM in February 2026 and later amended in July to extend its applicability from October 1, 2026. Industries were earlier required to register on the CPCB’s monitoring portal by March 31 and submit work orders for installing or retrofitting APCDs by April 30.

According to the CPCB, many units have neither placed work orders nor secured adequacy assessment reports or exemption certificates from authorised agencies, institutes or empanelled equipment manufacturers. The board has now asked authorities to issue closure notices to all such defaulters.

If a unit fails to produce valid proof of a work order, exemption or adequacy assessment within five days, the concerned pollution control board has been directed to order its closure. The unit can resume operations only after placing the required work order and submitting a credible compliance timeline accepted by the board.

The CPCB has also sought a unit-wise list of industries against which notices or closure orders have been issued. Pollution control bodies must send weekly reports on enforcement measures, including revocation of Consent to Operate and disconnection of electricity through distribution companies or District Magistrates.

Describing industrial stack emissions as a major source of particulate pollution in the region, the CPCB said controlling emissions at source is crucial, particularly ahead of winter. It warned that allowing non-compliant units to continue operating without concrete corrective measures poses a serious risk to public health and air quality in Delhi-NCR.

(Inputs from IANS)