The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) recently inspected dust mitigation steps, road-cleaning operations, and maintenance of road stretches by the Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG). This inspection, conducted under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed to assess compliance with dust control measures and identify issues like road dust accumulation and open burning.
A total of 17 inspection teams, including teams from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), examined 125 road stretches under MCG’s jurisdiction in Gurugram. Geo-tagged and time-stamped photos were collected and submitted for review by the Commission.
Findings from the inspection showed that out of the 125 road stretches assessed, 34 had high visible dust levels, 58 had moderate dust, 29 had low dust intensity, and only four had no visible dust. Many stretches with high dust levels also had significant amounts of municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, and instances of open burning, indicating shortcomings in maintenance and waste management.
The inspection identified various road stretches in Gurugram with persistent dust accumulation and waste dumping, including residential areas and arterial roads. The presence of open burning and unmanaged waste exacerbated dust conditions, underscoring the need for immediate corrective actions and enhanced supervision by the relevant authorities.
The Commission stressed the importance of strengthening MCG’s on-ground operations, particularly in terms of regular sweeping, proper waste disposal, water sprinkling, dust suppression, and prevention of open burning. Continuous and focused efforts are crucial to visibly improve road conditions and prevent the re-accumulation of dust and waste.
