The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has sealed 16 industrial units in Loni, Ghaziabad following a surprise inspection drive. The action was taken under Operation Clean Air on 25 August 2026 after seven teams found widespread environmental violations across 28 factories and workshops inspected in the area.
What the inspection found
All 28 premises visited during the drive were found to be breaking environmental rules. The violations included:
- 21 units operating without valid Consent to Operate certificates
- 14 units burning unapproved fuels such as wood and coal
- 8 units running furnaces without proper air pollution control devices or adequate chimney arrangements
- Unauthorised painting and powder-coating activities conducted in open spaces
- Industrial operations lacking basic air pollution control infrastructure
The inspection teams included flying squads, magistrates, police officials and representatives from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).
Following the violations, UPPCB and district administration sealed 16 premises immediately. Show Cause Notices were issued to 6 units directing them to respond to the violations. In another 6 cases, notices were pasted on doors, with some units found already abandoned or locked when inspectors arrived.
What this means for you
If you live or work in the Loni area, this action targets factories that have been operating illegally and releasing air pollution without proper controls. The sealing of these 16 units should reduce local air quality problems caused by unregulated industrial activity. However, this inspection was a one-time drive, and CAQM has stated that such enforcement operations will continue across the NCR region to catch units breaking air quality rules.