The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has intensified its efforts to control road dust and improve cleanliness across Delhi-NCR as part of the ongoing measures to tackle air pollution. On October 3, 2026, the Commission conducted a special inspection drive along key stretches of Delhi’s Ring Road to assess compliance with prescribed dust-control and road-cleaning measures.
The inspection focused particularly on identifying visible road dust, accumulated Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste and shortcomings in road sweeping and cleaning operations. The exercise was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of measures being implemented by agencies responsible for maintaining roads and ensuring that dust-generating sources are addressed promptly.
For the inspection, CAQM deployed four Flying Squad teams across roads falling under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi. The teams inspected 25 road stretches covering approximately 35 kilometres of the Inner and Outer Ring Road.
During the inspection, the teams identified 17 instances involving high levels of visible road dust and the accumulation of C&D waste across the inspected stretches. The findings highlighted gaps in the implementation of road-cleaning and dust-mitigation measures and underscored the need for concerned agencies to take immediate corrective action.
Road dust remains an important concern in efforts to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR. Dust accumulated along roadsides, carriageways and other frequently used areas can become airborne when disturbed by passing vehicles. This process, known as dust resuspension, can increase the concentration of particulate matter in the surrounding air, particularly when roads are not cleaned and maintained regularly.
CAQM has stressed that consistent and effective sweeping and cleaning of roads is essential to minimize the build-up of dust and prevent its repeated resuspension. Timely removal of C&D waste is also necessary because such material can become a source of dust when left exposed along roadsides or near carriageways.
Following the inspection, PWD Delhi and other agencies concerned have been directed to undertake necessary corrective measures on a priority basis. The Commission has emphasized that roads under the jurisdiction of various road-owning agencies must be maintained in a clean and dust-free condition.
The agencies have been advised to ensure regular sweeping, remove accumulated dust and C&D waste, and address deficiencies identified during inspections without delay. Effective implementation of these measures is expected to help reduce dust emissions from roads and contribute to broader efforts aimed at improving ambient air quality in the National Capital Region.
The latest inspection forms part of the broader Operation Clean Air initiative being undertaken across Delhi-NCR. Under the initiative, CAQM is carrying out field-level inspections to monitor the implementation of various air-pollution control measures and identify areas where compliance needs to be strengthened.
The Commission has indicated that such inspection drives will continue across Delhi-NCR. The inspections are intended not only to identify violations and shortcomings but also to facilitate timely corrective action by the agencies responsible for maintaining roads and implementing pollution-control measures.
With air quality remaining a major environmental concern in the region, effective management of road dust is considered an important component of the overall pollution-control strategy. Regular monitoring, strict compliance and prompt action by road-owning agencies will therefore remain crucial to ensuring cleaner roads and reducing dust-related pollution across Delhi-NCR.
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Author: Shivam
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