Air pollution: Industries in Noida, Ghaziabad told to meet emission norms by Dec 31, says Eco Minister Bhupender Yadav

Air pollution: Industries in Noida, Ghaziabad told to meet emission norms by Dec 31, says Eco Minister Bhupender Yadav

Industries operating in Noida and Ghaziabad have been directed to strictly comply with emission norms and install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) by December 31, 2025, with action to be taken against non-compliant units, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said during a review of air pollution control measures on Monday.

Chairing a meeting on city-specific action plans for the two NCR (national capital region) cities, Yadav said remaining industrial units must meet regulatory requirements within the deadline and directed pollution control authorities to intensify inspections in industrial and peri-urban areas. The Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards were asked to identify violators and ensure corrective action.

As air pollution levels worsened and smog blanketed large parts of the Delhi-NCR, authorities in Noida and Ghaziabad shifted schools to online and hybrid modes from December 15, citing health concerns for children. The move came as air quality in the region slipped into the severe category on multiple days, disrupting normal life and underscoring the urgency of stronger pollution control measures.

The Union minister's review also covered steps being taken to curb pollution from other sources, including vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, road dust and waste burning. City officials presented measures such as smart traffic management, expansion of public transport, deployment of mechanical road sweepers and anti-smog guns, and stricter enforcement of dust control norms at construction sites.

"The minister also asked the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR (CAQM) to fine-tune implementation parameters for city action plans and strengthen coordination across the region. He said funding under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) should be aligned with performance outcomes and called for greater public participation in greening and pollution-control efforts," the environment minister said in a statement.

The minister further stressed the need for integrated waste-management planning, expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, and plantation of indigenous, low-water-requirement species to address both pollution and urban heat stress.