CAQM seals 16 polluting industrial units in Ghaziabad following a special surprise inspection drive
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a special enforcement drive under 'Operation Clean Air' in Loni, Ghaziabad, targeting illegal and polluting industrial units in the National Capital Region (NCR).
- Major violations identified during the drive included operating without a valid Consent to Operate (CTO), using unapproved polluting fuels like wood and coal, and operating industrial furnaces without mandatory Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD).
- The joint operation by CAQM flying squads, local administration, and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) led to the sealing of 16 non-compliant industrial units to curb air pollution in the NCR.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas is a statutory body established under the CAQM Act, 2021, which replaced the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and has overriding powers over state pollution control boards in the NCR region.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the challenges of environmental law enforcement in peri-urban industrial clusters of the NCR. Highlight the role of statutory bodies like CAQM in balancing industrial compliance with environmental sustainability through initiatives like 'Operation Clean Air'.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to environmental regulatory enforcement in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India, consider the following statements: 1. 'Operation Clean Air' is an enforcement initiative conducted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to target illegal and polluting industrial units in the NCR. 2. Operating industrial furnaces without mandatory Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD) and using unapproved fuels like wood and coal constitute major regulatory violations under this framework. 3. The enforcement and sealing of non-compliant units during these drives are executed exclusively by central agencies, bypassing the jurisdiction of State Pollution Control Boards. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. 'Operation Clean Air' is an enforcement drive by the CAQM targeting polluting units in the NCR, where operating without a Consent to Operate (CTO), using unapproved fuels (wood/coal), and lacking Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD) are major violations. Statement 3 is incorrect because enforcement actions are joint operations involving the CAQM flying squads, local administration, and State Pollution Control Boards (such as the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board).
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.