Following the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order dated March 20, 2020, in the case All India Lokadhikar Sangathan vs. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors., the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been directed to take stringent action against illegal industrial operations and to restrict new industrial establishments until adequate waste management infrastructure, such as CETPs and TSDFs, is in place.

DPCC has clarified that it is not granting Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) to water-polluting industries in CETP-equipped industrial areas, except for the RESDH sector. In this context, a large number of applications have been received from automobile service stations, which typically generate wastewater from vehicle washing activities.

DPCC has now decided that:

• Only non-effluent generating automobile service stations will be considered for consent.
• Pending applicants must provide an undertaking agreeing to adopt the dry washing process.
• This commitment must be publicly displayed at the entrance gate of the unit.
• Consent will be refused to units continuing with conventional wet washing methods involving effluent discharge.

This decision aligns with the NGT’s directive to prevent pollution and ensure compliance with environmental standards until infrastructure upgrades are completed.