Pollution Watchdog Threatens Closure for NCR Factories Lacking Air Cleaners

The Central Pollution Control Board has ordered regional authorities in Delhi-NCR to shut down industrial units that have not ordered air pollution control devices. This action targets factories failing to meet revised emission rules ahead of the winter smog season.

Action Plan

In an October 30 letter, the Central Pollution Control Board instructed pollution boards in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to issue show-cause notices. Factories must show proof of ordering equipment within five days or face closure until they prove compliance. The stricter rules apply to 17 heavy pollution sectors, red-category plants, textile units with boilers, and metal industries with furnaces. These units must meet a particulate matter limit of 50 milligrams per normal cubic meter, down from the previous limit of 80 milligrams.

Winter Rules

The crackdown arrives as Delhi prepares for winter pollution rules starting November 1. Recent rain helped drop the air quality index to 60 on Thursday and 95 on Saturday morning after hitting poor levels earlier in the week. Past compliance has been very low, with only about 200 out of 2,321 identified units meeting installation rules by July due to high costs and equipment delays.

Context

Air pollution in the National Capital Region spikes every winter due to weather changes, crop stubble burning, and local emissions like industrial exhaust and vehicle smoke. Authorities use stricter industrial norms and temporary construction bans each year to try and lower toxic smog levels before weather conditions trap pollutants near the ground.