Checked over 4.8K sites for pollution, asked 407 to shut, most in UP: CAQM

New Delhi: More than 4,800 sites have been inspected so far by the flying squads constituted by the Centre's air quality panel to ensure compliance with its directions to control air pollution, sources said on Friday

According to sources, as a part of the effective enforcement of pollution control measures, large scale inspections carried out in Delhi-NCR by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) constituted flying squads, since December, 2021 till February 15, 2022 a total of 4,890 sites have been inspected for enforcement and compliance of its directions.

The flying squads have issued closure notices to 407 sites out of which 392 sites have been confirmed shut, sources said, adding that out of the total closures, 264 are industries, 99 construction and demolition (C&D) sites and 44 are DG Sets.

Of the 407 closure notices issued, 94 sites are in Delhi, 92 are in NCR of Haryana, 173 sites in UP and 48 sites in NCR Region of Rajasthan.

Since December, 2021, the CAQM constituted 40 Flying Squads (12 each for the NCR Districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and National Capital Territory of Delhi, and four for the NCR Districts of Rajasthan), are extensively inspecting the units/ establishments/ activities in various sectors including industrial, transport/vehicular, construction and demolition, dust from roads and open areas and other dispersed sources, contributing to rising levels of air pollution.

Official sources said that 187 units have been allowed to resume their operations pursuant to undertaking of strict compliance to the Commission's directions and levying of Environmental Compensation

(EC).

Flying Squads will continue making surprise visits at industrial units, C&D sites, commercial/ residential units, air pollution hotspots, etc., and report details to the Commission, they said, adding that major non-compliant units are attracting immediate closure.

Minor violations are being referred to state pollution control boards for appropriate actions under relevant laws, they said.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature in the national capital on Friday rose to 28.4 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average, the IMD said.

The minimum temperature settled at 9.7 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, the IMD said. The weather office has predicted strong surface winds during the daytime on Saturday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 28 and 10 degrees Celsius respectively.