Gurgaon: Haryana has ordered the closure of 131 industrial units after inspecting 329 establishments operating in unauthorised industrial clusters across the state during the first six months of 2026.Unauthorised industrial clusters are areas where industrial activity is not permitted under approved land-use plans. Industries operating in non-conforming areas can pose both environmental and planning concerns because they function in locations not designated for industrial use.According to an official review, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) identified 64 non-conforming industrial clusters with an estimated 666 industrial units operating in them.Of the 666 units identified, 329 were inspected between Jan and June, resulting in closure action against 131 industries. The review — of enforcement measures against industries functioning in non-conforming areas — didn’t provide a district-wise break-up of the inspections or the closure orders.HSPCB member secretary Yogesh Kumar said the progress of the enforcement drive was reviewed on Monday. “Ten more days have been given to the field officers,” he told TOI.The data also assessed compliance with Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), which transmit real-time emissions data to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Of the 1,336 industries required to install and connect OCEMS, 1,319 have complied, while 17 units are yet to connect their systems to CPCB’s server.Progress on the installation of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs), however, remains slow. Of the 968 industries required to install APCDs, only 12 had complied at the time of the review, leaving 956 units yet to install the pollution control equipment.Depending on the nature of the industry, such units may bring industrial emissions, dust, noise and freight traffic closer to residential or other non-industrial areas while also raising questions over compliance with land-use regulations.The action covered both environmental compliance and industries operating in non-conforming areas, indicating that the enforcement drive is examining not only pollution control measures but also whether industrial units are functioning in locations permitted under approved land-use plans.
