<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>On <strong>18 May 2026</strong>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas – the statutory body that monitors and enforces air‑quality norms in the National Capital Region (GS3: Environment)">CAQM</span> held its 131st <span class="key-term" data-definition="Enforcement Task Force – a high‑level committee that reviews inspection reports, decides on enforcement actions and tracks compliance (GS3: Environment)">ETF</span> meeting. The agenda was to assess inspections carried out by the agency’s <span class="key-term" data-definition="Flying Squad – mobile inspection teams equipped to check on‑site compliance and collect evidence such as photos or videos (GS3: Environment)">Flying Squad</span> during the period 29 April – 10 May 2026.</p>
<h3>Key Developments (12‑day reporting period)</h3>
<ul>
<li>125 inspections were completed across the NCR.</li>
<li>39 violations were recorded – 10 each from <span class="key-term" data-definition="Construction & Demolition sites – areas where building activities generate dust and emissions, a major source of urban air pollution (GS3: Environment)">C&D</span> and industrial sectors, and 19 from <span class="key-term" data-definition="Diesel Generator sets – portable power units that emit high levels of particulate matter and NOx, often used as backup power (GS3: Environment)">DG</span> sets.</li>
<li>Proposed enforcement actions include closure of 7 units, sealing of 13 DG sets, issuance of 12 <span class="key-term" data-definition="Show Cause Notice – a legal notice asking the alleged violator to explain why action should not be taken against them (GS3: Environment)">SCNs</span>, and environmental compensation in 4 cases.</li>
<li>Six of the proposed actions have already been completed; the rest are pending.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<ul>
<li>Inspection breakdown: 20 at C&D sites, 51 at industrial units, 54 at DG set locations.</li>
<li>Resumption orders: 17 issued after compliance verification – 13 for industrial units and 4 for C&D sites.</li>
<li>Road‑dust mitigation: NOIDA Authority inspected 46 areas on 8 May 2026, reporting 28 violations and issuing SCNs for repeat offences.</li>
<li>Cumulative enforcement record: 27,133 units inspected to date; 1,784 closure directions issued, of which 1,382 have been followed by resumption orders.</li>
<li>123 cases transferred to <span class="key-term" data-definition="State Pollution Control Boards – state‑level agencies that enforce environmental laws and issue permits (GS3: Environment)">SPCBs</span>/<span class="key-term" data-definition="Delhi Pollution Control Committee – the Delhi‑specific body that oversees compliance with air‑quality standards (GS3: Environment)">DPCC</span> for final decision; 279 entities remain under examination.</li>
</ul>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>The data illustrate how India’s environmental governance operates at the urban le
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