28 factories found violating pollution norms in Ghaziabad raid, 16 sealed
All 28 industrial units inspected during a surprise raid in Loni, Ghaziabad, were found violating environmental regulations. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas said on Wednesday that authorities seal 16 of the factories violating the norm.
The inspection drive was carried out on August 25 under “Operation Clean Air,” CAQM’s ongoing campaign against illegal and polluting industrial units in the National Capital Region. Seven flying squads, along with magistrates, police personnel and officials of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, conducted checks across the 28 premises, the commission said. Every single unit inspected was found non-compliant with applicable environmental norms, according to the commission.
The violations detected included units operating without a valid Consent to Operate, use of unapproved fuels such as wood and coal, and furnaces running without required Air Pollution Control Devices or proper chimney arrangements. Inspectors also found industrial units functioning without adequate pollution control infrastructure, along with instances of open painting and powder-coating activities being carried out illegally, the commission said.
Of the 28 premises checked, 21 units were found operating without a valid Consent to Operate, while 14 cases involved the use of unapproved fuels, including wood and coal.
Eight cases involved either missing or inadequate pollution control devices, or furnaces running without the necessary chimney infrastructure, according to the commission’s statement. Based on these findings, 16 units or premises were sealed by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, working alongside the district administration and the flying squads, the commission said.
Preliminary reports or show-cause notices were served on six units. In another six cases, notices were pasted on the doors of the premises, including instances where the units were found locked, or where occupants had left after spotting the arrival of inspecting officers, according to the commission.
The Commission reiterated that all industrial units operating in the NCR are required to strictly comply with environmental regulations.
It said running industrial activities without valid statutory consents, using unapproved fuels, and operating furnaces or processes without required pollution control arrangements amount to serious violations that call for strict enforcement action.
CAQM said inspection and enforcement drives under Operation Clean Air will continue across the NCR to monitor compliance with existing environmental norms and to enable timely corrective action against violators. The commission has directed concerned agencies to ensure strict compliance and take necessary action against units found in default.
The statement did not specify the total number of workers employed across the inspected units, nor did it detail the nature of goods being manufactured at the sealed premises. It also did not provide a timeline for further action against the units served with show cause notices, or specify penalties that could be imposed on the sealed units beyond the sealing itself.
The commission’s statement did not indicate whether any of the 28 units had prior records of violations or previous enforcement action taken against them.
Loni in Ghaziabad has previously seen enforcement action against polluting industrial units as part of the broader campaign to curb air pollution sources across the National Capital Region.
