Surat Deploys 24x7 AI Surveillance to Curb Industrial Pollution

15-Minute Rule: Surat Monitors and Penalizes Polluting Industries in Real Time.

In a landmark initiative to tackle industrial air pollution, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in collaboration with the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has deployed a 24x7 high-tech surveillance system across key industrial hubs, including Pandesara, Sachin, and Udhna GIDC, aiming to hold factories accountable for illegal emissions in real time.

The system features 360-degree high-definition cameras linked to the city’s Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), with artificial intelligence distinguishing between harmless white steam and prohibited black smoke. Under the “15-Minute Rule,” any chimney emitting dense black fumes continuously for over 15 minutes triggers an automatic alert to GPCB officials, complete with time-stamped video evidence.

Repeat offenders face stringent penalties, including hefty fines and permanent cancellation of their Consolidated Consent and Authorization (CC&A), effectively shutting down violating units. Surat, a major textile and dyeing hub and pioneer of the world’s first Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for particulate matter, has long struggled with illegal midnight emissions, which contribute to severe winter smog.

This new surveillance system aims not only to curb harmful pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and SO₂ but also to enhance transparency and prevent tampering with factory sensors. As of December 31, 2025, air quality in Surat’s industrial pockets remains poor to very poor, with Pandesara registering an AQI of 287, Sachin 310, and nearby residential Adajan at 145, highlighting the urgent need for real-time enforcement and accountability to protect public health.