J&K Government Imposes Moratorium on New Polluting Units in Khrew-Khonmoh to Combat Air Pollution

JAMMU, February 04, 2026 — Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana today informed the Legislative Assembly of a decisive moratorium on the establishment of new air-polluting industries, including cement plants, stone crushers, and brick kilns, in the Khrew and Khonmoh areas of Pulwama.

Responding to a query by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, the Minister detailed a series of stringent interventions aimed at safeguarding public health, including the mandatory installation of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) and Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) to provide real-time data to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The government has further directed industrial units to adopt advanced emission control technologies such as Automatic Pulse Jet Bag Filters and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) while restricting new mining and industrial activities until the local Air Quality Index (AQI) falls below 100 or the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) drops below 60.

To ensure scientific oversight, a specialized air quality study has been assigned to the University of Kashmir, complemented by strict regulations on Pet Coke usage requiring desulphurization systems with over 90% efficiency and mandatory dust-suppression protocols for the transportation of raw materials.