The Commission for Air Quality Management today issued a statutory direction prescribing stricter particulate matter emission norms for industries across Delhi-NCR to strengthen industrial emission control in the region. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the Commission has laid down a uniform particulate matter emission standard of 50 milligrams per normal cubic metre for identified industries.

The decision follows recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) based on studies conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and inputs of the Technical Committee constituted by CPCB. The Commission observed that industrial stack emissions are a significant contributor to elevated particulate matter levels and secondary particulate formation in Delhi-NCR, adversely impacting regional air quality.

The Ministry added that the revised standard is expected to significantly reduce industrial emissions and contribute to the abatement of air pollution, leading to benefits for people living in the immediate vicinity of industrial sources and overall improvement in regional air quality.