In a bid to promote the usage of clean fuel and enforce strict actions against the deteriorating air quality of the region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas has deputed flying squads for field visits and rigorous inspections of different sites contributing to deteriorating air quality of Delhi-NCR, said a press release by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.  

The Commission has issued directions for immediate closure of all industries located in industrial areas where PNG (Piped Natural gas) infrastructure and supply are available but have still not switched over to PNG. 

As per the directions of the Commission, these violating industries will not be permitted to schedule their operations till December 12, 2021, and the position will be reviewed for further decisions.

Despite the measures taken in different sectors towards improvement of air quality of Delhi-NCR, the air quality still remains in the ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Severe’ category. 

CAQM has also deputed Flying Squads for field visits and rigorous inspections of different sites contributing to deteriorating air quality of Delhi-NCR and reporting their compliance of the directions to the CAQM.

The Commission is reviewing the progress on a daily basis by holding the review meetings with the Flying Squads to take stock of the situation and take necessary punitive actions against the violators.

Policy issued earlier

The commission issued a policy on August 12, 2021 for shifting of industries operating in NCR Districts to PNG/ cleaner fuels.

The state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) were given the following directions:

• Audit and inspect the industries which are already connected to PNG supply and ensure that those industries are not using any other polluting fuels like coal etc.
• Maintain strict vigil to prevent the use of unapproved fuels in the NCR, through the enforcement agencies concerned and take stringent action, in case of the defaulting units.
• Prepare an implementable action plan by clearly specifying definite time lines for switching over all identified industries units to PNG, where infrastructure and supply of gas are already available.
• Develop a time bound comprehensive action plan, in consultation with the authorized entities to supply gas in the industrial areas falling within the specified Geographical areas of NCR districts, for ensuring PNG and infrastructure supply in the remaining industrial areas.

As per the directions issued by the commission on November 16, all industries in the National Capital Region having gas connectivity shall be run only on gas, failing which industries concerned shall be closed.

(Banner image courtesy: @Priyank11/Twitter)