Delhi pollution: Centre orders closure of 191 industries for lack of emission control equipment

The Union government on Saturday ordered the immediate sealing of 191 industrial units across Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region for failing to install air pollution control equipment despite repeated instructions, The Indian Express reported.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav also asked Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to appoint secretary-level officers to oversee pollution-control measures in 15 cities across the National Capital Region. The officers will conduct field inspections and submit weekly reports to the Commission for Air Quality Management.

Yadav issued the directions during a high-level review meeting on Saturday with officials from the four states.

The minister also directed the authorities to enforce the particulate matter emission limit of 50 milligram per cubic metre or mg/Nm3 for industrial units, that was prescribed in February.

Under the directive, large and medium industries were ordered to meet the new limit by August 1, while the remaining identified industries were given until October 1 to comply.

The norm replaced the March 2022 standards, which set a maximum permissible particulate matter emission limit of 80 mg/Nm³ and an advisory target of 50 mg/Nm³.

The environment minister also directed action, including criminal prosecution, against transport department officials who fail to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras by November 30, The New Indian Express reported.

Further, the Union government directed the authorities to take...

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