The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas recently conducted an inspection drive on 133 road stretches to evaluate the effectiveness of corrective measures implemented by road-maintaining agencies. This inspection, carried out as part of CAQM’s ongoing monitoring efforts under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), focused on assessing visible road dust accumulation and the operation of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs).
A total of 15 teams from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) inspected 106 road stretches maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD), while two teams from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) re-inspected 27 road stretches under the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) jurisdiction. The teams collected geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic documentation for submission to the Commission as part of the inspection report.
During the re-inspection of the 27 road stretches maintained by DDA, previously reported with high visible dust levels, a significant improvement was noted. None of the stretches were classified under the High Dust category, with seven showing Moderate Dust levels, 19 recording Low Dust intensity, and one stretch having No Visible Dust. This improvement reflects the impact of corrective actions taken by the agency following earlier inspections by CAQM.
Inspections of the 106 road stretches maintained by PWD revealed varying levels of visible dust accumulation. Nine stretches exhibited High Visible Dust levels, 16 showed Moderate Dust, 37 recorded Low Dust intensity, and 44 stretches had No Visible Dust. The findings highlighted the need for enhanced enforcement and maintenance efforts to address issues such as waste accumulation and open burning on certain stretches.
The Commission stressed the importance of regular mechanical sweeping, timely waste disposal, maintenance of road stretches, water sprinkling, and dust-suppression mechanisms to ensure clean and dust-free roads. Ongoing inspection exercises under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue to enforce dust mitigation measures and prevent open burning to maintain air quality in Delhi.
