22 Flying Squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted the third road-inspection drive on 08.12.2025. This focussed 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 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-suppression measures implemented by these agencies across a total of 79 road stretches. Flying squads also re-inspected the roads belonging to MCD and NDMC, which were already inspected before, to see the effectiveness of action taken afterwards.

As per 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 6 stretches were found to have 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 with high visible dust, 27 were moderate, 16 had low, and 2 road stretches showed no visible dust. The findings exhibit that DDA’s road-cleaning and mechanical sweeping activities further need to be strengthened, particularly on the stretches where dust accumulation occurs frequently.

In case of DMRC, out of total 10 road stretches inspected, 2 showed no visible dust, 3 recorded low dust, and 4 moderate dust intensity, with no stretch falling in the high-dust intensity category. Likewise, for DSIIDC, among 12 roads inspected, 2 stretches recorded no visible dust and 3 stretches with low dust intensity. 4 road stretches reflected moderate dust intensity and with 3 falling under the high-dust intensity category. The concerned agencies were directed to maintain continued vigilance.

In respect of the re-inspected road stretches of MCD and NDMC, the Commission noted a nearly 50% reduction in the high-dust intensity category, primarily achieved due to the corrective measures implemented by the MCD. However, out of its total 35 road stretches re-inspected, 18 stretches still remain to be in the high-dust intensity category. For NDMC 1 road stretch was re-inspected. This stretch still remains to be 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 significantly impact particulate matter levels in Delhi. It emphasized the need for strengthened on-ground action, including regular mechanical sweeping, timely disposal of collected dust, maintenance of road shoulders and central verges. This is in addition to deployment of water-sprinkling/ dust-suppression systems across all stretches maintained by these agencies.

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

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VM/SK

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