Technology-enabled enforcement is replacing inspection-based regulation of industrial pollution in India. Critically examine with reference to recent CAQM measures in NCR.

In October 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered NCR industries to install more Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. The cameras must cover fuel storage areas, fuel charging points and gas meters, and send live feeds to CPCB and SPCB/DPCC servers [1]. CAQM is a statutory body under the CAQM Act, 2021 [3]. The order marks a clear move towards digital enforcement. So far, though, technology is adding to inspections rather than replacing them.

Strengths of technology-enabled enforcement

• Watching the fuel itself: earlier CPCB camera and OCEMS rules watched chimney emissions. The new rules watch the fuel going in. This closes the loophole of a unit that looks compliant at the stack while burning banned fuel [1].
• Enforcing the fuel rules: since 01.01.2023, NCR has allowed only approved fuels such as PNG/CNG, LPG and biofuels. A violation leads directly to closure plus Environmental Compensation [2].
• Legal backing: Section 12 of the CAQM Act lets CAQM order closures and cut electricity or water supply [3].
• Less discretion: live feeds leave inspectors less room for rent-seeking. They also make better use of the limited number of Flying Squads [1].

Limitations: why inspections still matter

• Earlier technology rules are not fully obeyed: 3,734 of 4,315 units had installed OCEMS (online chimney-emission sensors). Closure orders were still in force for 581 units [4].
• Weak oversight: a CAG audit in Gujarat found 67 highly polluting units without OCEMS. The state board took no action for more than six years [6].
• A camera sees the drum, not what is inside: it cannot tell pet-coke from approved briquettes. Feeds can also "drop" or be pointed elsewhere.
• Surprise checks still catch violators: 125 Flying Squad inspections in 12 days found 39 violations [5].
• Capacity and fairness: the order gave roughly 25 days to comply. MSMEs must pay for cameras, leased lines and power backup [1], often where piped gas is not available.

CAQM's measures move enforcement from occasional visits towards continuous digital oversight. The evidence, however, points to a hybrid model. Three steps would help: flag dead camera feeds automatically, compare gas-meter readings with supplier bills, and use camera alerts to decide where Flying Squads go. Combined with help for MSMEs to switch fuels, this would make technology a force-multiplier for inspections. That would advance the Article 21 right to clean air and SDG 11.6.