Delhi Pollution: CAQM finds marked improvement on DDA roads, flags dust control gaps on PWD stretches
CAQM reiterated that targeted inspection and re-inspection exercises under ‘Operation Clean Air’ would continue to ensure strict adherence to statutory directions on dust mitigation and to keep road stretches across Delhi clean and dust-free.
New Delhi, December 26: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on December 24 conducted an inspection drive to assess dust mitigation measures on major road stretches in Delhi, noting significant improvement on roads maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) while directing the Public Works Department (PWD) to intensify on-ground interventions.
The inspections were carried out as part of CAQM’s continuous monitoring and enforcement under the statutory framework and the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following an earlier inspection conducted on December 12. The focus of the exercise was on visible road dust accumulation, the functioning of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs), and identification of municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and instances of open burning.
A total of 15 teams from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) inspected 106 road stretches maintained by the PWD, while two teams from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) re-inspected 27 selected road stretches under the jurisdiction of the DDA. Geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic evidence was collected and submitted to CAQM as part of the consolidated inspection report.
During the re-inspection of the 27 DDA-maintained road stretches that had earlier been reported with high visible dust levels, the Commission observed that none fell under the high-dust category this time. Of these, seven stretches recorded moderate dust levels, 19 were found to have low dust intensity, and one stretch had no visible dust. CAQM said this reflected a marked improvement in road upkeep and demonstrated the effectiveness of corrective measures undertaken by the DDA after the earlier inspection.
In contrast, inspection of the 106 PWD-maintained road stretches revealed that nine stretches continued to exhibit high visible dust levels, while 16 showed moderate dust, 37 recorded low dust intensity, and 44 stretches had no visible dust. On several stretches with high dust intensity, inspectors also reported accumulation of MSW and C&D waste, along with instances of open burning.
The Commission noted that while the DDA’s response indicated improved compliance with its directions, the findings on PWD-maintained roads pointed to persisting gaps in road maintenance and dust control. CAQM directed the PWD to take immediate and sustained corrective action, including regular mechanical sweeping, timely lifting and disposal of dust and waste, maintenance of road surfaces and central verges, effective deployment of water sprinkling and dust-suppression mechanisms, and strict prevention of open burning.
CAQM reiterated that targeted inspection and re-inspection exercises under ‘Operation Clean Air’ would continue to ensure strict adherence to statutory directions on dust mitigation and to keep road stretches across Delhi clean and dust-free.
