CAQM pulls up Haryana pollution board over non-functional video monitoring at construction sites
On 8 September 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board's non-compliance with its directions on registering construction and demolition sites and installing working video monitoring systems.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) held a review meeting with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on 8 September 2026, chaired by CAQM Chairperson Rajesh Verma. CAQM's statutory directions require all construction and demolition (C&D) projects on plots of 500 sq m or more to register on the State portal and install working video monitoring for remote checks of dust control. A CAQM remote check from 19 to 22 June 2026 found web-camera links non-functional at most registered sites in Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad and Gurugram. HSPCB was directed to ensure strict compliance, including closing non-compliant sites. CAQM is a statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, which received presidential assent on 12 August 2021 and dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).
Key facts
- Meeting
- 8 Sep 2026; chaired by CAQM Chairperson Rajesh Verma
- Body reviewed
- Haryana State Pollution Control Board
- Rule
- C&D projects ≥500 sq m must register and run video monitoring
- Finding
- Cameras non-functional at most sites (check of 19–22 Jun 2026)
- Direction
- Strict compliance; close non-compliant sites
- Static
- CAQM Act, 2021 (assent 12 Aug 2021); replaced EPCA
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On 8 September 2026, CAQM reviewed which State's pollution control board over non-compliance on C&D site video monitoring?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Haryana
CAQM held the review with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
Under CAQM's statutory directions, construction and demolition projects above what plot area must register on the State portal and install video monitoring?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 500 sq m
The directions cover all C&D projects with a plot area of 500 sq m or more.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament that received presidential assent in August 2021. 2. The Act dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The CAQM Act, 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021 and dissolved EPCA, set up in 1998.