Gurgaon: Only 1% of industries identified for installation of air pollution control devices (APCDs) across Haryana’s National Capital Region (NCR) districts have complied so far, with just 12 of the 968 required units installing the equipment, according to Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) data.The remaining 956 industries are expected to install APCDs under a phased compliance schedule set by the board. Large and medium industries have been directed to complete installations by July 31, while small-scale industries (SSIs), which constitute the majority of pending units, have been given time until Sept 30.“The advance final notice has already been served upon large and medium industries that failing to do so by July 31 will lead to closure on Aug 1,” HSPCB member secretary Yogesh Kumar told TOI.The implementation plan indicates that industries are expected to install 132 APCDs in July, 242 in Aug and 582 in Sept — meaning more than 60% of the pending installations are scheduled for the final month of the compliance drive, just ahead of the onset of NCR’s annual winter pollution season, when adverse meteorological conditions typically worsen air quality.APCDs, which include bag filters, cyclone separators, wet scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and fume extraction systems, are designed to capture or treat pollutants before industrial emissions are released through chimneys, and are considered one of the key technologies for reducing emissions from industrial stacks.The review also highlighted a contrast between the pace of APCD installation and compliance with online continuous emission monitoring systems (OCEMS). While APCD installation remains at an early stage, OCEMS compliance is nearly complete. Of the 1,336 industries required to install the systems, 1,319 had connected to Central Pollution Control Board’s server by June 30, leaving only 17 pending. Unlike APCDs, which physically reduce emissions, OCEMS continuously monitor emissions and transmit real-time data to regulators.The review covered industries in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Manesar, Karnal, Panipat and Rohtak as part of HSPCB’s assessment of pollution-control measures across Haryana’s NCR districts.The board also reviewed action against industries operating in non-conforming zones — areas not designated for industrial activity under approved land-use plans. It has identified 64 such industrial zones or clusters, comprising an estimated 666 industrial units. Between Jan and June, officials inspected 329 of these units and issued closure directions to 131. HSPCB has set July 31 as the target for completing inspections of the remaining units.The APCD installation mandate stems from a CAQM order issued on Feb 20, which sets a stricter particulate matter emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³ (normal cubic meter) for industries across Delhi-NCR.
