The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) through the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of its 128th meeting was held on April 2, 2026, in the National Capital Region (NCR) to review the activities of air pollution enforcement in the area. It was a review of inspections conducted between March 14 and 26, 2026, with a focus on compliance in major areas of pollution.
What was the Decision Made in the CAQM Meeting?
The Flying Squads of CAQM had 175 inspections throughout the period, which were focused on Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites (23 inspections), industrial units (37 inspection), road dust management, and Diesel Generator (DG) sets (114 inspections).
Some of the results were 10 unit closure proposals, 27 DG sets sealing, 8 Show Cause Notices (SCNs), and Environmental Compensation (EC) of one unit.
In Meerut and Faridabad, 16 areas exposed 140 road dust offences, which led to directives to municipal authorities to take corrective measures and SCNs to repeat offenders.
Major Rulings and Dictates
The Task Force emphasized the reinforced inspections of such priority areas as DG sets under Direction No. 76, C&D sites, road dust, and stone crushers. Flying Squad team restructuring was announced, and new formations are to be introduced to enhance efficiency.
The April 2 cumulative data reflected 26,672 inspections, 1,755 closures (1,330 of which were resumed after compliance), 123 transfers to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/DPCC, and 302 under review.
The Role and Structure of CAQM
Since its creation in 2021, CAQM manages air quality at the Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh levels, directing pollution sources bindingly.
It is chaired by an official of Secretary rank (ex-officio), experts of CPCB, ISRO, NITI Aayog, and NGO representatives. Its ETF implements actions through flying squads, emphasizing on transboundary pollution issues.
The initiatives are in line with the requirement of CAQM to conduct research, checks, and conformity to enhance Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area prone to pollution.
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