Air Quality Management Commission Reports Significant Road Dust Improvements
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a comprehensive inspection on December 24, 2025, to evaluate the effectiveness of corrective measures taken by road-maintaining agencies in the National Capital Region (NCR) following earlier assessments on December 12, 2025. This initiative is part of the CAQM’s ongoing effort to monitor air quality and enforce compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The latest inspection focused on measuring visible road dust, assessing the operations of Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs), and identifying accumulations of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, and instances of open burning.
For the inspection, 15 teams from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) scrutinized 106 road stretches managed by the Public Works Department (PWD), while two teams from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) re-evaluated 27 road stretches under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Each inspection included geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs, which were submitted as part of a detailed report.
Results from the DDA inspections showed significant positive changes. Out of the previously identified stretches that had high dust levels, none were classified under the high dust category during the December 24 re-inspection. Only seven stretches were rated as having moderate dust levels, while 19 stretches exhibited low dust intensity, and one stretch was found to have no visible dust. This suggests that the corrective actions taken by the DDA have had a considerable impact on road maintenance.
Conversely, the inspections of road stretches managed by the PWD revealed ongoing challenges. Out of the 106 stretches assessed, nine were found to have high visible dust, and 16 showed moderate levels. Additionally, 37 stretches recorded low dust intensity, while 44 presented no visible dust. Reports indicated that some of the highly dust-affected areas also had significant MSW and C&D waste accumulation, alongside incidents of open burning, highlighting the need for improved enforcement by the agency.
The CAQM noted that while the DDA’s response shows progress, the PWD’s results underscore persistent gaps in road maintenance and dust control that require urgent attention. The Commission called for enhanced mechanical road sweeping, timely removal of dust and waste, and systemic maintenance to ensure clean and dust-free roadways. Effective deployment of water sprinkling and dust suppression methods, along with strict actions against open burning, were also emphasized.
The CAQM reaffirmed its commitment to continuing targeted inspection efforts through ‘Operation Clean Air,’ aiming to enforce statutory directions for dust management and open burning prevention, thereby ensuring cleaner air quality across Delhi.
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