CAQM intensifies air pollution monitoring in Punjab and NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has launched new initiatives to combat air pollution in India. A delegation led by T. S. Panwar visited the Moga district in Punjab to review the implementation of measures to prevent stubble burning during the current harvesting season. The team assessed the deployment of crop residue management machinery and the coordination between departments to manage paddy residue effectively.

Simultaneously, the CAQM has tightened oversight of industrial emissions within the National Capital Region (NCR). Highly polluting industries, including 17 categories identified by the Central Pollution Control Board, are now required to install Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras at key operational points. These cameras must provide live video feeds to pollution control authorities by November 30, 2026, to monitor fuel usage and emissions. The directive also establishes an emission limit of 50 mg/Nm3 for selected industries, following technical recommendations from IIT-Kanpur.