New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has flagged persistent lapses in road dust control across Greater Noida, observing 102 instances of visible dust during a large-scale inspection conducted under its ‘Operation Clean Air’ drive.
The inspection, carried out on January 29, involved eight teams drawn from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). These teams surveyed 35 areas under the jurisdiction of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), covering key arterial roads, sector roads and internal stretches.
According to the Commission, violations were recorded across multiple sectors, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Eta, Sigma, Omicron, Zeta, Ecotech, Knowledge Park and Techzone, as well as along several 60-metre, 80-metre and 130-metre-wide roads connecting major junctions and rotaries. Geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic evidence was collected and submitted as part of the consolidated inspection report.
CAQM noted that visible road dust remains a significant contributor to deteriorating air quality, pointing to gaps in sweeping frequency, inadequate water sprinkling, accumulation of dust and debris along road margins, and the movement of heavy vehicles as key factors. In some locations, poor housekeeping of central verges and adjoining areas was also flagged.
The Commission has directed GNIDA and concerned agencies to take immediate corrective measures at all identified locations and ensure strict compliance with statutory directions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). It has also called for stronger enforcement, optimal deployment of mechanical road sweeping machines, continuous performance monitoring and fixing accountability for lapses.
CAQM said such inspection and enforcement drives will continue across the NCR on a regular basis, as it works with state and local agencies on a “war footing” to keep road stretches clean and limit dust-related air pollution.