Gurgaon: Haryana’s transport department has failed to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera systems at 2,780 fuel stations in the state’s NCR districts by the Sept 30 deadline, prompting Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to summon the department’s secretary-in-charge and transport commissioner on Oct 16.The commission said no installation or deployment work had commenced at the identified fuel stations as of Sept 30, according to the status reported on Haryana’s PAVAN portal. The state also failed to submit a compliance report despite repeated reminders.The two officials have been directed to appear before the commission at 11am at its conference hall in Delhi to explain the circumstances behind the delay and the steps taken to ensure compliance. CAQM has also sought a comprehensive, updated status report supported by relevant records, detailing progress made and the reasons for the delay in installing and operationalising the system, along with a time-bound action plan with definite deadlines for completing the work.The ANPR-based system is intended to identify vehicles without valid pollution under control certificates (PUCCs) by integrating cameras at fuel stations with the VAHAN vehicle database and the PUCC database.Under a CAQM direction issued on May 15, 2026, the systems were to be installed, integrated and made operational at all fuel stations in Haryana’s NCR districts by Sept 30. From Oct 1, fuel stations across the NCR were not to dispense fuel to vehicles without valid PUCCs, subject to specified exceptions such as medical emergencies, law and order duties and disaster response.The commission said it had reviewed implementation through meetings of its statutory sub-committee on safeguarding and enforcement on June 12 and Sept 29, and a meeting with the transport commissioner on July 22. The department was asked on Aug 31 to submit a detailed report by Sept 3. After no response was received, another communication on Sept 17 sought the report by Sept 23. No report had been received by the date of the notice, the commission said.At its Sept 29 meeting, the sub-committee noted that the transport department had made no progress on installing the ANPR systems. It viewed the delay seriously and decided that action in accordance with the law would be considered for the reported non-compliance.The notice also cites provisions of CAQM Act, 2021. Under Section 14, non-compliance can attract imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, or both. Where a govt department commits an offence, the head of the department may be held liable, subject to the statutory provisions. Other officers can also be held liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance, or is attributable to their neglect.The commission warned that failure to submit the explanation and status report, or to appear on the scheduled date without sufficient cause, would be viewed seriously.
