India, Dec. 3 -- As many as 2,254 industries with air pollution potential will have to install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and mitigating devices in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) by December 31 or face penalties or closure as part of a series of measures to check deteriorating air quality.

The measures were discussed at a Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas meeting, chaired by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, on Wednesday, as a streak of bad air that started in November continued, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) of 362 (very poor).

The other significant decisions taken at the meeting included directions to NCR state governments and municipal corporations...