Delhi-NCR air pollution: What is CAQM's new surveillance plan for industries?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has mandated installation of additional Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras at industrial units across the National Capital Region for comprehensive real-time monitoring of fuel use.

The move comes amid reports of industries continuing to use unapproved fuels, which assumes greater significance ahead of the winter months when air pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region typically worsen.

According to the order, industries have been directed to install the additional PTZ cameras by October 31, 2026.

The cameras will have to cover all fuel storage areas and fuel charging points.

In industries using gas-based fuel, the gauge or meter will also have to be captured by the cameras.

The video feeds will have to be streamed in real time to the servers of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the respective state pollution control boards or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

Industries will also have to ensure adequate power backup for the cameras and connectivity to ensure uninterrupted monitoring.

The CPCB and concerned SPCBs/DPCC have been directed to develop portals and other infrastructure needed to receive and monitor the real-time video feeds.

The concerned SPCBs and DPCC will submit the status of implementation of the measures to CAQM by November 1.

CAQM said its flying squads had found instances of industries using unapproved fuels during incognito inspections conducted across the NCR.

The commission has prescribed a standard list of approved fuels for different applications, including industrial use. It said persistent use of unapproved fuels had made real-time monitoring of fuel consumption necessary.

The CPCB had earlier directed industries to install PTZ cameras along with real-time Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).

Under the earlier directions, PTZ cameras were required to capture OCEMS port-holes and flue gas emissions from stacks in textile and food processing units having boilers.

For metal units, cameras were required to cover fume extraction systems and furnace feeding areas.

CAQM said the expanded monitoring system would strengthen vigilance and help ensure compliance with its statutory directions through remote monitoring and self-regulation by industries.