CAQM’s Flying Squads inspect Dust-Mitigation Measures Across Delhi

Continuing its on-ground monitoring to tackle Delhi’s air pollution, 22 flying squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted the third road-inspection drive on 8th December.

This focused exercise was done as a part of the Commission’s continuous monitoring and enforcement efforts under the statutory framework and provisions of the extant GRAP in force. The previous monitoring drive was done on 30th November.  

This time, the inspection aimed to assess visible dust accumulation across road stretches maintained by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) – Rohini Zone.

It evaluated the effectiveness of cleaning, maintenance, and dust-mitigation measures implemented by these agencies across 79 road stretches. Flying squads also re-inspected MCD and NDMC roads that had already been inspected to assess the effectiveness of the subsequent actions.

Based on the final compiled data, of the 79 stretches inspected, 15 exhibited high visible dust levels, 36 showed moderate dust, 22 recorded low dust intensity, and six stretches had no visible dust. Geo-tagged, time-stamped photographs were collected and submitted to the Commission as part of the consolidated inspection report. 

For DDA, which had the highest number of inspected roads (57), 12 stretches were identified as having high visible dust, 27 as moderate, 16 as low, and two as having no visible dust. The findings indicate that DDA’s road-cleaning and mechanical sweeping activities need further strengthening, particularly on stretches where dust accumulation is frequent.

In the case of DMRC, out of the total 10 road stretches inspected, two showed no visible dust, three recorded low dust, and four moderate dust intensity, with no stretch falling in the high-dust intensity category.

Likewise, for DSIIDC, of the 12 roads inspected, two stretches showed no visible dust, 3 had low dust intensity, 4 had moderate dust intensity, and 3 had high dust intensity. The concerned agencies were directed to maintain continued vigilance.

Regarding the re-inspected road stretches of MCD and NDMC, the Commission noted a nearly 50% reduction in the high-dust intensity category, primarily due to corrective measures implemented by MCD. However, of its total 35 road stretches re-inspected, 18 remain in the high-dust intensity category. For NDMC 1, the road stretch was re-inspected.

This stretch remains in the high-dust-intensity category. The re-inspection findings make it evident that MCD and NDMC should further reinforce their efforts through consistent and timely dust mitigation interventions and deliver improved compliance across all road stretches.  

The Commission observed that road dust continues to impact particulate matter levels in Delhi significantly. It emphasised the need for more decisive on-the-ground dust-mitigation measures, including regular mechanical sweeping, timely disposal of collected dust, and maintenance of road shoulders and central verges. This is in addition to the deployment of water-sprinkling/dust-suppression systems across all stretches maintained by these agencies.

The Commission reiterated that targeted inspection exercises under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue to ensure strict adherence to dust-control norms and the Commission’s Statutory Directions, keeping road stretches across Delhi clean, dust-free, and compliant with regional regulatory measures.