Of the 16 industrial units ordered to close, one is located in the Uttar Pradesh NCR region, one in Rajasthan NCR, and the remaining 14 units are in Sonipat district, Haryana. These units were found operating in blatant violation of statutory environmental norms, prompting immediate action by CAQM.
Nature of Violations
Detailed inspections revealed several serious lapses, including operation without mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO), non-installation or malfunctioning of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs), use of unapproved fuels, and operations during restricted periods as per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Many units also failed to comply with diesel generator (DG) norms and emitted visible smoke and pollutants.
CAQM noted that several units showed complete disregard for statutory directions and environmental regulations, which necessitated immediate closure until full compliance is ensured.
Enforcement and Compliance Measures
The Commission emphasized that non-compliance with environmental norms will not be tolerated. Strict enforcement actions, including closure and penal measures as per law, will continue against defaulting industrial units. All industries operating in the NCR are urged to adhere to environmental standards, maintain APCDs, and comply with statutory requirements at all times.
The closure directions reflect CAQM’s commitment to improving air quality and protecting public health, reinforcing the need for industries to integrate pollution control measures into their operations.