CAQM tells NCR industries to expand fuel-use camera watch

The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed industries in the National Capital Region to expand camera-based monitoring of fuel use by October 31, according to national headlines for October 7. The direction tightens the panel's grip on industrial emissions ahead of the winter pollution season. CAQM has been pushing industry away from dirty fuels. Of 7,759 fuel-based industries in Delhi-NCR, 7,449 have shifted to approved cleaner fuels such as natural gas, electricity, biofuels and biomass, while 310 were closed or transitioned voluntarily by operators. The Central Pollution Control Board has warned 2,254 of 3,500 polluting industries in the region of potential closure if they fail to install emission-cutting devices and online monitoring systems. The commission has also asked Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab to submit action plans to eliminate coal use in industries outside NCR within three months. CAQM flying squads conduct surprise inspections, and violations can lead to closure, environmental compensation and prosecution.
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