The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has expanded requirements for remote surveillance of industrial pollution sources across the National Capital Region. All highly polluting industries, including 17 Red Category units identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), food processing plants, textile mills and metal foundries with boilers or furnaces must now install Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras to monitor fuel usage and emissions. The order, issued on 16 October 2026, replaces an earlier directive from 5 October 2026 and strengthens enforcement mechanisms through real-time video feeds sent to regulatory authorities.
Key facts
- Deadline for installation: 30 November 2026
- Covers all industries under Statutory Direction No. 98 in NCR
- Includes 17 CPCB Red Category industries, plus food and textile units with boilers, and metal industries with furnaces
- Video feeds must transmit in real-time via RTSP protocol to CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
- Applies across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi (GNCTD)
What cameras must monitor
Industries must position PTZ cameras at multiple points within their facilities. Cameras shall be placed at all fuel entry or charging points for boilers, thermic fluid heaters, furnaces, kilns and similar equipment. For units using gas fuels, cameras must capture gas meters and gauges. Additionally, cameras must monitor stack emissions and online continuous emissions monitoring system (OCEMS) sampling ports, as well as fume extraction systems where applicable.
A single camera must provide complete coverage of these areas with minimal blind spots. If one camera cannot adequately view all required locations, industries must install additional cameras. The cameras must function during night operations and maintain image clarity suitable for regulatory inspection.
Technical and operational requirements
All PTZ cameras must feed continuous, real-time video to designated servers and portals operated by CPCB and the respective SPCBs or DPCC. Industrial units are responsible for ensuring cameras and communication systems remain functional at all times, with video feeds accessible to regulatory authorities for remote inspection.
Industries must provide uninterrupted power supply to cameras and associated equipment, including battery backup or alternative power systems. Any malfunction or disruption in video transmission must be reported immediately to the concerned pollution control authority, along with details of corrective action taken.
Maintenance and proper operation of cameras fall entirely on industrial units. They must restore non-functional equipment promptly to ensure compliance.
Why this order was issued
Industrial emissions, particularly particulate matter released through stacks and fugitive emissions from manufacturing processes, contribute substantially to air pollution in the NCR. During winter months, meteorological conditions trap pollutants and worsen air quality. Recent inspections by the CAQM’s Flying Squads have documented illegal use of unapproved fuels by industrial units, indicating weak compliance with pollution rules. Remote camera monitoring aims to improve surveillance of fuel usage and emission standards without requiring constant on-site inspection.
This order supplements existing regulations on emission standards, approved fuel use, OCEMS installation and other pollution-control measures prescribed under environmental laws. It does not replace these requirements but strengthens enforcement through technology.
What this means for you
Industrial operators in NCR must invest in PTZ camera infrastructure, connectivity systems and backup power arrangements. Compliance requires technical planning to ensure adequate camera placement and reliable video transmission. Non-compliance after 30 November 2026 may invite penalties under environmental laws.
For residents and businesses in the region, this order aims to improve air quality by reducing illegal fuel use and unchecked industrial emissions. Remote monitoring allows authorities to detect violations faster and take corrective action without delays. Over time, stricter surveillance should discourage polluting practices and encourage adoption of cleaner technologies.
What happens next
CPCB, in coordination with state pollution control boards in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and the Delhi authority, must establish technical infrastructure including servers and portals to receive and display real-time video feeds. State governments and pollution control bodies will monitor compliance in their jurisdictions and report violations. All industrial units must complete installation and operationalization of cameras by 30 November 2026.