The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued an amendment dated 03.08.2026 to its Statutory Direction No. 86 to further strengthen enforcement against violations of dust mitigation measures at Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites with plot area less than 500 sqm. across the National Capital Region (NCR). 

The amendment widens the ambit of enforcement by extending the powers to initiate prosecution against gross violators to additional Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities, Municipal Councils, Municipal Boards and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the NCR.

Statutory Direction No. 86, issued on 02.01.2025 and amended on 24.06.2025, had authorised the Commissioner/Zonal Deputy Commissioners of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Secretary, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Commissioners/Chief Executives/Deputy Commissioners of various ULBs in Gurugram, Faridabad, NOIDA, Greater NOIDA, Ghaziabad and Sonipat to file a complaint/prosecution before the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate in cases of gross violations of directions/orders relating to dust and air pollution control and mitigation measures at such sites within their respective jurisdictions. 

The Direction also empowered these authorities to order closure of such sites and impose or realise Environmental Compensation (EC) in cases of gross violations, including those relating to the GRAP Schedule in respect of C&D activities.

Recognising that a significant number of construction projects on plots having an area of less than 500 sqm. are also ongoing in several other Municipal Corporations and bigger cities/towns in the NCR, which contribute significantly to the overall PM10 and PM2.5 load attributed to the C&D sector, the Commission has expanded the enforcement framework to ensure more effective implementation of dust mitigation measures across the region.

Accordingly, the powers to initiate prosecution against gross violators of dust mitigation measures at C&D sites have now been extended to additional Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities and Urban Local Bodies across the NCR, including Manesar, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, Meerut, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bhiwadi and Neemrana, besides strengthening the existing enforcement mechanism in the NCR.

The amended Direction also requires all concerned agencies to submit a monthly status report to the Commission on complaints and prosecutions filed, along with the monthly progress reports already being submitted. This reporting mechanism is expected to strengthen accountability and facilitate closer monitoring of enforcement actions across the NCR.

During the last quarter, April–June 2026, 16,195 inspections were undertaken by DPCC/SPCBs at C&D sites in Delhi, 909 sites in Haryana (NCR), 230 sites in Uttar Pradesh (NCR) and 160 sites in the NCR districts of Rajasthan.

Considering the large number of C&D activities being undertaken across the NCR, particularly smaller construction projects on plots measuring less than 500 sqm., expanding the enforcement framework to additional Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities, Municipal Councils, Municipal Boards and ULBs assumes considerable significance for ensuring effective implementation of dust mitigation measures and strengthening compliance across the region.

The Commission has reiterated that effective enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites remains a vital component of improving the overall air quality of the region. The expanded enforcement mechanism shall ensure stricter compliance, strengthen deterrence against violations and contribute significantly towards reduction of dust emissions across the NCR.

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