CAQM Orders Closure of 16 NCR Industrial Units

13 Jan 2026 CW Team

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently directed the closure of 16 industrial units across the National Capital Region after inspections revealed gross and persistent violations of environmental norms. The action is part of CAQM’s intensified enforcement drive to curb air pollution and ensure strict compliance with statutory directions.

Of the affected units, one is located in Uttar Pradesh (NCR), one in Rajasthan (NCR), while the remaining 14 operate in Haryana’s Sonipat district. The inspections identified serious lapses, including operation without mandatory Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate, non-installation or malfunctioning of air pollution control devices, use of unapproved fuels, operation during restricted GRAP periods, non-compliant diesel generator sets, and visible emissions from industrial processes.

CAQM stated that several units were functioning in blatant disregard of extant statutes and environmental directions. The Commission has ordered immediate closure of the defaulting units until full compliance is achieved and reiterated that strict enforcement, including closure and other penal actions as per law, will continue against violators.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..