Home / Environment / NGT Cracks Down on Industrial Polluters, Orders Real-Time Effluent Monitoring
NGT Cracks Down on Industrial Polluters, Orders Real-Time Effluent Monitoring
9 Nov
Summary
- NGT directs CPCB and state agencies to ensure industrial units install OCEMS
- Thousands of polluting industries identified across 4 states
- Failure to comply will attract remedial and punitive action
In a major crackdown on industrial pollution, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control agencies to ensure that all non-compliant industrial units immediately install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).
The order, passed on November 4, 2025, comes after the tribunal noted large-scale violations by industrial units releasing untreated effluents into crucial water bodies like the Ganga and Yamuna. According to the CPCB data cited in the plea, there are 704 defaulting Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) in Uttar Pradesh, 812 in Haryana, 21 in Bihar, and 149 in Delhi that are yet to install the mandatory OCEMS.
The NGT has underlined that the CPCB and respective State Pollution Control Boards must take prompt action to ensure these GPIs comply without any further delay. Failure to install or operate the OCEMS will attract appropriate remedial and punitive measures under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The tribunal has directed the CPCB to submit a consolidated compliance report within three months.
