The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted an evening inspection drive in Central Delhi to assess compliance related to prevention of open dumping and burning of municipal solid waste (MSW)/ biomass and to identify localized sources of air pollution.

The inspection by CAQM flying squads covered areas in Karol Bagh and Rajinder Nagar.

As per the consolidated inspection reports, 20 incidents were recorded, including two cases of biomass/MSW burning and 18 cases of MSW dumping. Biomass/MSW burning was largely observed for heating purposes. Several locations were found to have MSW mixed with construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which may lead to burning and aggravate air pollution.

Specific locations in Karol Bagh where violations were observed include Guru Ravidas Marg (near Ahobila Sri Lakshmi Temple and Patel Nagar East Post Office), Vishnu Mandir Marg (outside The Suncourt Hotel Yatri), Krishna Nagar near the crossing of Ganga Mandir Marg and Hardhyan Singh Road, Ganga Mandir Marg near Shri Goma Ram Sablaniya Chowk, Gurudwara Road near Obsession Carpet Store and the SBI cash deposit machine, and Ganga Mandir Marg at the Gali No. 6 crossing. At these locations, instances of both municipal solid waste dumping and burning were observed. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is the concerned agency.

The Commission has directed the concerned agencies, particularly MCD, to ensure that municipal solid waste and gardening waste are not stored or dumped along roads or vehicle movement areas, and that waste is lifted promptly and disposed of only at designated authorised sites. MCD has also been advised to strictly enforce prohibitory instructions against unauthorised dumping, prevent recurrence of such practices, impose penalties on violators and ensure immediate removal of accumulated waste.

Further, the Commission has informed MCD about repeated violations of open dumping and open burning of MSW/ biomass across its jurisdictions. The Commission has noted continued complaints pointing to systemic gaps in enforcement and non-compliance with statutory directions mandating zero tolerance towards MSW/ biomass burning which is a significant contributor to air pollution in the region. MCD has been directed to take holistic action to prevent such violations, fix responsibility on concerned officials and furnish action taken reports, with the objective of achieving zero MSW burning.

CAQM emphasized that localized sources such as open waste dumping and biomass/MSW burning continue to be significant contributors to air pollution, especially during evening and night hours, and require sustained vigilance and enforcement. The Commission reiterated that inspection and enforcement actions under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue to be undertaken regularly across Delhi-NCR with a focused approach on identifying and eliminating such localized pollution sources.

The Commission is working in close coordination with all concerned agencies to ensure strict compliance with Statutory Directions, effective implementation of GRAP measures and abatement of air pollution in the region.

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