Government to seal polluting units, warns offices on WFH rules

Stepping up its efforts to combat air pollution in the national Capital, the Delhi Government on Monday said it will seal polluting industries without further notice and warned of stringent action against private offices flouting work-from-home (WFH) directives.

Announcing this, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the enforcement drive was further intensified across Delhi from Monday to identify and act against polluting industries. Units found violating air-pollution norms will be sealed immediately without further notice. Industries failing to apply for OECM certification by the December 31 deadline will also face strict action.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) are jointly identifying illegal and unauthorised industrial units operating within the city. All such units are liable for closure.

“The Delhi Government is ensuring 100 per cent compliance to protect the city’s air,” the Minister added.

According to officials, the DPCC has ordered the closure of 411 industrial units found operating without mandatory consent and causing visible air and water pollution across the national Capital.

A joint inspection of 28 notified industrial areas and 27 redevelopment areas is being carried out by the DPCC, along with the Revenue Department and the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).

During the survey, a total of 1,586 units in notified industrial areas were inspected till December 20, of which 232 were found operating without the consent of DPCC and causing visible pollution. In redevelopment areas, 1,102 units were inspected and 179 were found violating pollution norms, according to officials.

Based on the findings, DPCC issued closure orders on December 21 to all 411 non-compliant units, an official said.  He said the three agencies launched the inspection following the directions of Delhi Environment and Forest Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The survey, which began on December 9, is still underway.

Meanwhile, Sirsa, addressing a press conference, stated that more than 2.12 lakh new PUC certificates were issued following the strict implementation of GRAP-IV measures over the past four days.

Making these assertions in a news conference, he also noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday as the impact of a western disturbance recedes.

He said 2,12,332 new Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates were issued by late night on December 16. During the same period, approximately 10,000 vehicles failed the mandatory emission tests.

Sirsa announced an intensified enforcement drive across the Capital, saying polluting factories and industries will now be sealed without further notice. “Action will also be taken against industries that have not applied for the mandatory Online Consent Management (OCM),” he added. The minister warned private companies to comply with the 50 per cent staff capacity and work-from-home norms. He said such offices would face strict penalties, while polluting industrial units would be shut down.

Currently, Deputy Commissioners and officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) are conducting drives to close illegal industries immediately, he said, adding that other mitigation measures include city-wide road-washing operations and the clearing of garbage through biomining.

Sirsa said the chief minister has directed authorities to ensure Delhi becomes dust-free the coordination of multiple local bodies and agencies. Stating that strict restrictions enforced under GRAP-4 over the past four days have started delivering visible results, with measurable improvement in air quality, the minister informed that the Government is also upgrading all PUC centres with modern, high-capacity equipment to reduce delays and ensure accurate emission testing.

Additionally, a third-party inspection mechanism is being introduced to strengthen credibility and transparency in certification. Technical teams from the Transport Department are conducting continuous on-ground monitoring to prevent malpractice, Sirsa added.

Sirsa also informed that round-the-clock cleaning and washing of roads is being undertaken to suppress dust. Simultaneously, large-scale bio-mining operations continue at landfill sites,

with nearly 35,000 metric tonnes of waste being scientifically processed and removed every day. These efforts are aimed at dismantling the legacy waste mountains and reducing dust-related pollution.

The Minister announced significant progress in the plan to rejuvenate the city’s water bodies, many of which have disappeared or become encroached over the years. The government’s target is to revive at least 50 per cent of the long-vanished water bodies, restoring them to their original ecological form in the coming days.

“The revival of these natural water bodies plays a crucial role in controlling local dust pollution and improving the city’s overall environment,” he said.

Responding to reports of technical issues with ANPR cameras, the Minister said that the transport department is looking into the matter. He further blamed the previous government for inefficiency in every initiative they handled. “We thought at least these camera systems would be clean, but complaints have surfaced even here.

Sirsa took a strong jibe at the former Chief Minister, accusing him of indulging in “political tourism” while being absent from Delhi’s real issues.