Delhi has stepped up its industrial pollution control measures ahead of the 2026-27 winter season, targeting 2,354 industries with stricter emission standards.continuous online monitoring and tighter enforcement.
Under the Winter Action Plan industries identified as major pollution sources are required to install and connect Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). Of the targeted units, 2,197 have reportedly installed the monitoring systems, while 57 industries that failed to comply have been closed.
The government is also enforcing a tighter particulate matter emission limit. From October 1, the applicable standard for the targeted industries will be reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams per normal cubic metre.
Industries unable to meet the new limit will have to install new Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) or upgrade existing systems. Technical institutions will assess existing equipment, while the government is also working on an empanelled vendor system for APCDs.
The strategy focuses on 17 highly polluting industries, along with large and medium red category industries and sectors such as textiles, food processing and metals.
Officials said real time emission data from OCEMS will be linked with pollution monitoring platforms, allowing regulatory authorities to track compliance more closely. Between December 2025 and September 26, 2026, more than 11,000 industrial units were surveyed, with over 2,200 polluting units reportedly closed or sealed for violations.
The industrial measures form part of a wider winter pollution strategy that includes expanding Delhi’s air quality monitoring network increasing enforcement teams and strengthening coordination across the National Capital Region.
The government says the focus is now shifting from merely installing pollution control equipment to ensuring that industries continuously meet the prescribed emission limits.