The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued an Amendment to its Statutory Direction No. 98 regarding implementation of the revised Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards for industries operating across Delhi-NCR. The revised PM emission standard would now come into effect from 01.10.2026. The amendment was issued after consideration of the recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and representations received from industries and industrial associations in relation to the prevailing status of compliance with the revised emission norms.

The Direction No. 98, notified on 20.02.2026, had prescribed a uniform and stringent PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified categories of industries across Delhi-NCR, based on technical recommendations of CPCB and studies undertaken by IIT Kanpur. The Commission reiterated that the revised PM emission standard continues to remain technically achievable and environmentally necessary for reducing industrial emissions and improving ambient air quality in the region.

Subsequent to issuance of the Direction, CPCB, in coordination with the NCR State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), undertook extensive efforts to facilitate compliance, including issuance of Directions to the concerned agencies, development of a dedicated online portal for monitoring installation and retrofitting of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) and periodic review of the implementation status. During this process, industry associations highlighted certain practical challenges in meeting the prescribed timelines, including extended procurement and installation periods for APCDs, limited availability of agencies for adequacy assessment and capacity constraints of recognized laboratories for compliance verification. CPCB accordingly recommended extension of the compliance timelines as stipulated in Direction No. 98.

After examining all relevant submissions, the CAQM concluded that a limited extension of the implementation timeline would facilitate effective and uniform compliance by industries without compromising the objective of reducing industrial emissions. Accordingly, through the Amendment to Direction No. 98, the Commission revised the implementation schedule and stipulated that the revised PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ would now become applicable to all industries covered under Clause 21(i) of Direction No. 98 with effect from 01.10.2026. All other provisions, stipulations and conditions contained in Direction No. 98 dated 20th February 2026 would remain unchanged.

The amendment is intended solely to provide additional time for industries to complete the necessary installation, retrofitting and assessment of APCDs, while ensuring full compliance with the stringent particulate matter emission standards within the revised timeline.

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VM/SK

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