New Delhi, Feb 21 (.) In a decisive push to curb industrial pollution in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued Statutory Direction No. 98, prescribing a uniform and stricter particulate matter (PM) emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR.
Stating that “industrial stack emissions are a significant source of aggravating PM levels in Delhi-NCR and also contribute to secondary particulate formation, thereby adversely impacting air quality of the region,” the Commission emphasised the urgent need for tighter controls.
The order follows recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), based on a study conducted by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and inputs from a CPCB-constituted Technical Committee. The Commission said it is “of the view that the particulate matter emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ is technically achievable and environmentally necessary.”
It added that “this revised standard will reduce the emissions from industries significantly and will contribute to abatement of air pollution from industrial emissions leading to benefits for the people in the immediate vicinity of industrial sources and also improvement in the overall air quality of the region.”
Under the direction, “the maximum permissible limit of Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from 17 Categories of highly polluting industries identified by CPCB, Red Category (Medium and Large) air polluting industries, Food & Food Processing, and Textile industries having boilers/thermic fluid heaters and Metal industries having furnaces, operating in Delhi-NCR, shall be 50 mg/Nm³.”
However, the Commission clarified, “this standard shall not apply to those industrial units which have been prescribed PM emission standard of less than 50 mg/Nm³ under any applicable consent, direction or Statutory provision.”
The revised PM emission standard will come into effect for large and medium industries from August 1, 2026, and for the remaining targeted industries from October 1, 2026.
The Commission also directed the NCR state governments, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, along with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, to ensure effective implementation of the Statutory Direction and adherence to the prescribed timelines, while undertaking intensive IEC activities to sensitise stakeholders and spread awareness.
. PWS JRC