CAQM issues Amendment to Direction No. 98 extending timeline for implementation of Revised PM emission Standards for Industries across Delhi-NCR

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued an Amendment to its Statutory Direction No. 98 regarding implementation of the revised Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards for industries operating across Delhi-NCR.
• 02The revised PM emission standard would now come into effect from 01.10.2026, as per the amendment issued by CAQM.
• 03Direction No. 98, notified on 20.02.2026, had prescribed a uniform and stringent PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified categories of industries across Delhi-NCR.
• 04The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recommended extension of the compliance timelines as stipulated in Direction No. 98 due to practical challenges faced by industries.
• 05CAQM concluded that a limited extension of the implementation timeline would facilitate effective and uniform compliance by industries without compromising the objective of reducing industrial emissions.
• 06All other provisions, stipulations, and conditions contained in Direction No. 98 dated 20th February 2026 remain unchanged after the amendment.
• 07The revised PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ is technically achievable and environmentally necessary for reducing industrial emissions and improving ambient air quality in the region.

Trap alerts

• Most people think that CAQM has relaxed the PM emission standards, but actually it has only extended the implementation timeline to 01.10.2026.
• Most people think that Direction No. 98 was issued without considering industry representations, but actually it was issued after consideration of CPCB recommendations and industry representations.
• Most people think that the revised PM emission standard is not necessary for reducing industrial emissions, but actually CAQM has reiterated its technical achievability and environmental necessity.