The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas conducted a special joint inspection of industrial units in the Naraina Cantonment Board area of Delhi following public complaints about polluting activities operating from residential premises. The inspection was carried out on January 8, 2026, in response to representations submitted by members of the All Naraina Residents Welfare Samiti.
The inspection drive was undertaken jointly by flying squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Delhi Cantonment Board. The objective was to verify compliance with environmental norms and land use regulations governing industrial activity in residential areas.
All locations cited in the complaints were visited, and every industrial unit found operational at the time of inspection was examined. A total of 21 industrial units were inspected across the Naraina Cantonment Board area. Of these, 19 units were identified as falling under the category of household industries as defined in the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. However, none of these units possessed the mandatory No Objection Certificate required for operating household industries in residential areas. The remaining two units were found to be outside the list of permissible household industries altogether.
As per the consent policy of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and in line with directions of the Supreme Court, household industries functioning in residential areas must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the High Powered Committee chaired by the Commissioner of Industries of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. During the inspection, none of the units were able to produce documentary evidence of having obtained this statutory clearance.
In view of the findings, the Commission for Air Quality Management has formally communicated the matter to the Delhi Cantonment Board, advising it to take necessary action to ensure that industrial units in the Naraina Cantonment Board area are permitted to operate only after securing all required statutory approvals, including the mandatory No Objection Certificate.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement of environmental regulations and to coordinated action with all concerned agencies to curb illegal industrial activities and strengthen efforts to reduce air pollution in the National Capital Region.
