CAQM warns of legal action in case of violation of pollution-curbing norms in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi, Oct 16: In view of the worsening air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has advised industries and construction agencies to strictly follow the statutory directions issued by it, warning that violations and non-compliance will attract strict action.

"Citizens have also been advised to strictly follow steps highlighted in the Citizen Charter in each stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) earnestly in the coming days," CAQM said in a statement.
"The 40 inspection teams/ flying squads constituted by the Commission are under directions to intensify inspections, supervise and rigorously monitor enforcement and compliance of statutory directions issued by the Commission to ameliorate the air quality of Delhi-NCR," it added.

"These flying squads will conduct surprise inspections and field level incognito checks at industrial units, C&D sites, commercial/ residential units, air pollution hotspots, etc. These flying squads will widely cover all parts of the Delhi-NCR to track down violators and report the details to the Commission for stringent actions against them," it said.

"As on 14.10.2022, more than 8,580 sites were inspected by the CAQM flying squads and closure directions have been issued to 491 defaulters flouting the statutory directions of the Commission, 110 in Delhi; 118 in Haryana (NCR); 211 in Uttar Pradesh (NCR); and 52 in Rajasthan (NCR)," the statement noted.

"CAQM will make every effort towards strict enforcement of its statutory directions and orders. Violations and non-compliance of the directions issued by the Commission air pollution control rules/ regulations are being viewed very seriously. The Commission in case of gross violations will not only pass closure orders but will also impose Environmental Compensation (EC) and initiate prosecution," the air quality management body said.

CAQM further advised the State implementing agencies including State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and DPCC to ensure compliance and strict implementation of the directions issued by the Commission.

On Sunday, the air quality in Delhi was recorded in the 'moderate' category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 152, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).