CAQM Reviews Compliance Across NCR; Flying Squads Conducted 199 Inspections During May 30-June 13

📌 Summary:

• The 133rd Enforcement Task Force (ETF) meeting of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was held on 19 June 2026 to review enforcement for 30 May-13 June 2026
• Flying Squads carried out 199 inspections (10 at C&D sites, 94 industrial, 95 DG sets), detecting 66 violations (8 C&D, 23 industrial, 35 DG sets)
• Proposed actions: closure of 4 units/projects, sealing of 29 DG sets, 12 directions/orders, and Environmental Compensation in 2 cases
• A special drive in Muzaffarnagar (UP) found 9 of 10 industrial units non-compliant — deficiencies included non-operational wet scrubbers, cyclones, Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) and Fume Extraction Systems, plus stack-monitoring lapses
• Cumulatively, 27,577 units inspected so far; 1,797 Closure Directions issued, 1,416 Resumption Orders granted after compliance verification; 123 cases transferred to SPCBs/DPCC
• Commission stressed timely inspection reports with photo/video evidence, strict DG-set norms and prompt enforcement to abate air pollution

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Air pollution control, environmental regulation and enforcement architecture in the NCR; institutional mechanisms for pollution abatement.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CAQM is a statutory body created under the CAQM Act, 2021 for NCR and adjoining areas
• C&D = Construction & Demolition; DG = Diesel Generator; APCD = Air Pollution Control Device
• Non-compliant cases are transferred to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/DPCC

🔑 Key Term: CAQM — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, the apex statutory authority coordinating air-quality enforcement across Delhi-NCR.