CAQM mandates PTZ cameras at Delhi-NCR industrial fuel sites

The Commission for Air Quality Management has made it mandatory for all industrial units in Delhi and the National Capital Region to install pan-tilt-zoom cameras. The order, announced on Tuesday, aims to track fuel consumption and emissions in real time ahead of the region's pollution season.

Industries must install the PTZ cameras at fuel storage areas and fuel-charging points by October 31. The Commission cited the persistent use of unapproved fuels as the reason for expanding camera coverage. This measure is designed to strengthen vigilance and ensure compliance with pollution control directions.

Technical and operational requirements for compliance

Industries must ensure the motorised cameras cover all prescribed locations. Video feeds must be streamed in real time to the servers of the Central Pollution Control Board and the respective state pollution control boards or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

Facilities must provide adequate power backup and connectivity for the surveillance systems. For units using gas-based fuel, the gas gauge or meter must be visible on camera. The prescribed locations for installation vary by industry type.

The Central Pollution Control Board and the state boards must now develop portals and infrastructure to capture and manage these live video feeds. This facilitates remote monitoring of fuel-use practices.

Enforcement background and reporting mechanism

The directive follows repeated findings of violations. Flying squads reported multiple instances of industries using unapproved fuels during incognito inspections across the NCR. The continued non-compliance led the Commission to deem real-time monitoring necessary.

The order builds on a previous directive for industries to install PTZ cameras alongside Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems. It links on-site compliance with the administrative capacity to monitor remotely. The Commission has asked the pollution control authorities to create the necessary digital systems to receive the feeds in real time.

Implementation status of both the camera installations and the live-feed portals is due to be submitted to the Commission by the concerned pollution control boards on November 1.

Deadline and timeline for implementation

The deadline for industries to complete the installation of the additional PTZ cameras is October 31. Authorities must establish the systems to receive the live feeds by the same date. The Commission's statement was dated October 6.

This enforcement push targets a core problem for NCR residents: whether industrial units are using the fuels permitted under the region's air-quality rules. Industrial emissions significantly impact air quality, with the impact assuming greater severity during the winter months. In June 2022, the CAQM had prescribed a standard list of approved fuels for various applications, including industrial use. The status of implementation of the new camera measures must be submitted to the Commission by November 1.