Delhi Authorities Impose Crackdown on Air Pollution Violators

On November 17, 2025, Delhi's air quality has plummeted into the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories, prompting civic officials to take stringent actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage 3.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been leading the crackdown, imposing hefty penalties on institutions found violating environmental norms. Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) was fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, as the campus failed to segregate and process waste properly.

In a separate drive, MCD officials, in coordination with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and other agencies, have sealed four industrial units in the Bindapur area that were operating illegally and contributing to air pollution. These included coal-fired bhattis, a chemical factory, and a noodle-making unit discharging untreated wastewater.

The authorities have also issued a total of 4,614 challans, amounting to Rs 18,87,111 in penalties, for violations related to municipal solid waste handling. An additional 482 challans, worth Rs 51,26,301, have been levied for issues like garbage burning, illegal construction, and dumping of construction debris.

These actions underscore the Delhi government's determination to tackle the city's persistent air quality crisis, which has only worsened in recent years. As the winter season approaches, the focus on curbing pollution sources is expected to intensify further.