CAQM Issues Closure Notice to 407 Units, Shuts Down 392 in Delhi-NCR & Surrounding Regions to Tackle Air Pollution

The flying squads inspected a total of 4,890 sites for enforcement and compliance of statutory directions issued by the Commission & extant rules to improve the air quality of Delhi-NCR till February 14, CAQM data said.

"Out of those, 407 units/establishments (including industries, C&D Sites and DG Sets) were issued closure notices by the Enforcement Task Force (ETF). These flying squads have been inspecting all parts of the Delhi-NCR to track down violators and for stringent actions against them. As of February 15, a total of 392 units/establishments were physically closed," CAQM said in a release.

Since December 2021, CAQM constituted 40 Flying Squads (12 each for the NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and National Capital Territory of Delhi, and four for the NCR districts of Rajasthan) that are extensively inspecting the units/establishments/activities in various sectors (including industrial, transport/ vehicular, construction/ demolition, dust from roads and open areas and other dispersed sources) contributing to rising levels of air pollution.

With dedicated efforts to scale down the air pollutants of Delhi-NCR, the flying squads have inspected and issued closure notices to 94 sites in Delhi, 92 sites in NCR of Haryana, 173 sites in Uttar Pradesh (NCR), and 48 sites in the NCR region of Rajasthan up to February 15.

Following the Commission's directions, the flying squads continuously make surprise visits, intensive field-level incognito checks at industrial units, C&D sites, commercial/ residential units, air pollution hotspots, etc., and report its details to the Commission.

CAQM has also advised the respective implementing agencies, including the state government authorities, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), to continue to ensure compliance and strict implementation of the directions issued by the Commission.

Meanwhile, because of the relatively improved air quality, the Commission has also allowed the use of generators (DG sets) for essential services, for instance, allowed for lifts, escalators and travelators for use in all districts of Delhi NCR. In November, it had banned them given the highly polluted air condition then. However, the Commission has issued specifications for the DG sets as per the sector.

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The above article has been published from a wire agency with minimal modifications to the headline and text.