CAQM Flying Squads log 150 NCR inspections in 15 days, 1,829 closure orders issued
Synopsis
With winter smog season approaching, CAQM's Flying Squads have now inspected 28,547 units across the NCR and issued 1,829 closure directions cumulatively. The latest 15-day cycle logged 150 inspections, with industrial units, DG sets, and construction sites in the crosshairs — a race against the calendar before October's air quality crunch sets in.
Key Takeaways
The CAQM Enforcement Task Force conducted 150 inspections across NCR between 24 August and 7 September 2026 .
Cumulatively, Flying Squads have inspected 28,547 units/projects/entities as of 14 September 2026 .
A total of 1,829 closure directions have been issued; 1,479 resumption orders granted after compliance verification.
126 cases transferred to SPCBs/DPCC ; 224 entities still under examination for resumption orders.
A special drive in Haryana's Nuh on 3 September covered 35 premises — 13 found compliant, 7 found locked.
Priority sectors include industrial units , Construction and Demolition sites , and Diesel Generator sets .
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) reported that its Enforcement Task Force (ETF) conducted 150 inspections across the National Capital Region (NCR) during the 15-day period from 24 August to 7 September, underlining the body's push to tighten compliance on industrial, construction, and diesel generator emissions.
Key Enforcement Numbers
The findings were reviewed at the 139th ETF meeting, held on Monday, where officials examined enforcement actions, inspections, and compliance status across the NCR. According to the updated cumulative enforcement data as on 14 September, the Commission's Flying Squads have so far inspected 28,547 units, projects, and entities across the region.
Of these, 1,829 closure directions have been issued. 1,479 resumption orders have since been granted after verification of compliance, while 224 entities remain under examination for issuance of resumption orders. A further 126 cases have been transferred to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decision.
Sector-wise Breakdown of Inspections
Of the 150 inspections conducted during the reporting period, 98 were carried out in the industrial sector, 45 were related to Diesel Generator (DG) sets, and seven covered Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites. The CAQM has identified these three sectors as priority areas for continued enforcement, given their outsized contribution to particulate pollution across the NCR.
Special Drive in Haryana's Nuh
A dedicated inspection drive was conducted in Haryana's Nuh district on 3 September. Eight teams from the Commission's Flying Squads, operating alongside district administration, police personnel, and officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), inspected a total of 35 premises.
According to the official statement, 13 premises were found compliant, seven units were found locked, and re-inspection has been assigned to the concerned State Pollution Control Board in six cases.
What the Commission Said
The CAQM reiterated the need for continued strengthening of enforcement, timely verification of compliance, and close coordination among implementing agencies. It emphasised 'expeditious enforcement action, strict compliance monitoring and continued inspections' across priority sectors to ensure effective mitigation of air pollution across the NCR.
This comes ahead of the winter months, when the NCR typically records its worst air quality, making the current enforcement window critical for pre-season compliance. How effectively the pending 224 entities are resolved before October will be a key indicator of whether this cycle of enforcement delivers lasting improvement.
Point of View
547 inspections and 1,829 closure orders — but the more telling figure is the 224 entities still awaiting resumption orders and 126 cases pending with state boards. Those backlogs are precisely the friction points where enforcement intent dissipates into administrative delay. With NCR's annual winter pollution emergency typically beginning in late October, the Commission has a narrow window. If state boards do not clear the pipeline swiftly, the headline inspection count will mean little when smog descends.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many inspections did the CAQM conduct between 24 August and 7 September 2026?
The CAQM's Enforcement Task Force reported 150 inspections during this 15-day period. These covered 98 industrial units, 45 DG set sites, and 7 Construction and Demolition sites across the NCR.
What is the total number of units inspected by CAQM Flying Squads to date?
As of 14 September 2026, CAQM Flying Squads have inspected 28,547 units, projects, and entities across the NCR. Of these, 1,829 closure directions have been issued cumulatively.
What happened during the special inspection drive in Haryana's Nuh?
On 3 September 2026, eight Flying Squad teams joined by district administration, police, and HSPCB officers inspected 35 premises in Nuh. Thirteen were found compliant, seven were locked, and re-inspection has been ordered in six cases.
How many closure directions have been issued and how many entities are still under review?
A total of 1,829 closure directions have been issued, with 1,479 resumption orders granted after compliance verification. Another 224 entities remain under examination for resumption orders, and 126 cases have been referred to SPCBs or the DPCC for final decisions.
Why is CAQM intensifying enforcement inspections in the NCR right now?
The CAQM is stepping up inspections ahead of the winter season, when air quality in the NCR typically deteriorates sharply. The Commission has prioritised industrial units, DG sets, and construction sites as key contributors to particulate pollution and is pushing for compliance before October.
