Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has expanded technology-based monitoring of industrial pollution by making Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera installation and operationalisation mandatory for all categories of industries covered under its Statutory Direction No. 98 in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Under the new order, covered industrial units must install PTZ cameras and ensure real-time video transmission to designated servers and portals of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The deadline for completing the installation and operationalisation process is November 30, 2026.
The latest order supersedes CAQM’s earlier order dated October 5, 2026, and aims to strengthen surveillance of industrial fuel consumption, emissions and compliance with prescribed pollution-control measures.
Which Industries Must Install PTZ Cameras?
The directive applies to the following categories of industries operating in the NCR:
- All 17 categories of highly polluting industries identified by the CPCB.
- Red Category air-polluting industries classified as medium and large.
- Food and food-processing industries equipped with boilers or thermic fluid heaters.
- Textile industries equipped with boilers or thermic fluid heaters.
- Metal industries operating furnaces.
These industries must comply with the camera installation, video transmission, power backup and maintenance requirements specified in the order.
Read also: CAQM Inspects 28,744 NCR Units; 197 Inspections Conducted in 17 Days
PTZ Cameras Required at Fuel-Feeding Points and Emission Monitoring Locations
CAQM has prescribed specific requirements for the installation and positioning of cameras to ensure effective monitoring of industrial operations.
PTZ cameras must be installed at fuel-feeding or charging points of boilers, thermic fluid heaters, furnaces, kilns and other fuel-fired industrial equipment, wherever applicable. The arrangement is intended to help regulatory authorities remotely monitor fuel usage during operations.
For industrial units using gaseous fuels, cameras must be positioned to capture gas meters, gauges and associated metering arrangements clearly.
Industries must also install cameras to monitor stack emissions and Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) sampling or port-hole locations. Cameras must additionally cover fume extraction system areas wherever applicable.
The number and positioning of cameras must provide adequate visibility of the relevant equipment and operations without significant blind spots. Where a single camera cannot cover all required locations, additional cameras must be installed.
Real-Time Video Transmission to CPCB and Pollution Control Boards
The order requires all installed PTZ cameras to support continuous, real-time transmission of video feeds through the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). The feeds must be accessible through designated servers or portals maintained by the CPCB and the respective SPCBs or DPCC, enabling regulatory authorities to monitor industrial operations remotely.
Industrial units must ensure that cameras and communication systems remain functional and provide clear images of the relevant operations. Adequate visibility must also be maintained during night-time operations, wherever applicable.
The requirement is designed to strengthen regulatory surveillance and help authorities assess compliance with pollution-control requirements without relying exclusively on physical inspections.
Industries Must Ensure Power Backup and Camera Maintenance
CAQM has also made industrial units responsible for maintaining uninterrupted power supply and connectivity for their camera systems.
The key requirements include:
- Uninterrupted power supply: Adequate power backup must be provided for PTZ cameras, communication equipment and associated connectivity systems.
- Regular maintenance: Industries must ensure the proper functioning of cameras and related equipment.
- Timely restoration: Any malfunction or disruption must be addressed promptly.
- Reporting disruptions: Prolonged interruptions in video transmission or camera malfunction must be reported to the concerned SPCB or DPCC, along with details of the corrective action taken.
These provisions are intended to prevent gaps in remote monitoring and ensure the continuous availability of video feeds for regulatory authorities.
November 30, 2026, Deadline for Compliance
All industrial units covered by the order must complete the installation and operationalisation of the required PTZ cameras, including real-time video transmission arrangements, by November 30, 2026.
The CPCB, in coordination with the respective SPCBs and DPCC, will make the necessary technical arrangements, including designated portals, servers and supporting infrastructure for receiving and accessing the video feeds.
The respective SPCBs and DPCC will monitor compliance and oversee implementation within their jurisdictions.
CAQM has directed the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, along with the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), the CPCB and the concerned pollution-control authorities, to ensure effective implementation of the order.
CAQM Strengthens Monitoring to Curb Industrial Air Pollution
Industrial emissions are a significant concern for air quality in the NCR. Particulate matter released through industrial stacks and fugitive emissions from industrial processes contribute directly to pollution. Industrial emissions can also contribute to the formation of secondary particulate matter, further affecting ambient air quality.
The impact becomes particularly severe during winter, when unfavourable meteorological conditions restrict the dispersion of pollutants and can lead to higher pollution levels.
CAQM has introduced several measures to address industrial air pollution, including the transition to cleaner fuels, restrictions on polluting fuels and stricter emission standards. However, inspections conducted by the Commission’s Flying Squads across industrial units in the NCR have reported instances of the use of unapproved fuels. These findings have highlighted the need for stronger compliance monitoring and surveillance.
The expanded PTZ camera-based monitoring system is intended to address these concerns by providing regulatory authorities with continuous remote visibility into industrial operations, fuel usage and pollution-control systems.
Technology-Based Surveillance to Support Pollution Control
With the expanded directive, CAQM aims to strengthen enforcement and improve compliance with industrial pollution-control requirements across the NCR. Mandatory camera installation, real-time video transmission and regular monitoring will provide authorities with an additional mechanism to assess industrial activities and identify potential violations.
The November 30 deadline places the responsibility on covered industries to establish the required monitoring infrastructure while enabling the CPCB, SPCBs and DPCC to improve oversight of industrial emissions and fuel-use practices.
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