As part of its continued efforts to strengthen dust mitigation measures and improve road cleanliness for effective air pollution control in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), under the chairmanship of Shri Rajesh Verma, Chairperson, CAQM, today held a hearing to review the actions taken and preparedness of all 12 zones of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The review focused on the removal of accumulated and legacy dust, garbage and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste from roads, roadsides, medians, footpaths and other open areas.
The Hearing was held pursuant to the Commission’s notice dated 7th October 2026, issued following an inspection conducted on 3rd October 2026, during which instances of high visible road dust and accumulation of C&D waste were observed on road stretches maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD) and cleaned by MCD, indicating the need for further strengthening of dust mitigation and cleaning measures on the ground. The Commissioner, MCD and concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the 12 zones of MCD were called upon to explain the actions taken and preparedness for addressing the identified gaps. During the hearing, the Deputy Commissioners, MCD made zone-wise presentations detailing the cleaning and sweeping operations undertaken, dust mitigation measures implemented, enforcement actions taken and preparedness for further improving road cleanliness and abating road dust emissions.
The presentations highlighted sustained efforts towards mechanized road sweeping, water sprinkling, road washing and intensive deep cleaning of major roads and identified air pollution hotspots. Measures for the removal and scientific disposal of accumulated legacy dust, silt, malba, garbage and C&D waste were also presented, along with cleaning of footpaths, road edges, medians, kerb stones and other areas prone to dust accumulation. The deployment of mechanical road sweeping machines (MRSMs), water sprinklers, water tankers, anti-smog guns, jetting machines and dedicated sanitation teams form part of the ongoing dust suppression and cleaning operations by the 12 zones of MCD in Delhi.
The zones also presented measures for repairing potholes and damaged road stretches, paving unpaved areas, greening dust-prone patches and improving sanitation at vulnerable locations. Preparedness for the winter season includes special deep-cleaning drives, hotspot-specific interventions, improved management of designated C&D waste collection points, regular field inspections and enforcement against open burning, improper waste disposal and other polluting activities. The need for coordinated action(s) with PWD, DDA, DJB, Railways and other concerned agencies to address dust-generating activities and resolve pending infrastructure-related issues was also highlighted.
The review covered the Outer North Zone (Narela), City SP Zone (Old Delhi), Civil Line Zone (North), Rohini Zone (North West), Central North Zone (Keshavpuram), Central Zone (Karol Bagh), South Zone, Central Zone (South East), Najafgarh Zone (South West), West Zone, Shahdara South Zone (East) and Shahdara North Zone (North East).
The Commission emphasized the need for effective implementation of the measures presented to ensure improved road cleanliness and sustained reduction in road dust emissions. Further, continued gaps in the implementation of prescribed dust mitigation measures would be viewed seriously and that appropriate action(s) including prosecution, may be initiated against the responsible agencies or officials for non-compliance.
The Deputy Commissioners, MCD were directed to ensure effective utilization of deployed machinery and sanitation manpower thus augmenting the machinery as per the quantum of work to be done and actual requirement. Further, regular cleaning of identified road stretches, prompt removal and scientific disposal of accumulated dust and C&D waste and priority attention to damaged roads and other dust-generating locations, should be focused. Close field-level supervision, regular monitoring of progress and accountability for gaps in implementation were also reviewed.
The Commission noted the actions taken by MCD and reiterated that the removal of accumulated dust and garbage from roads and open areas must be ensured within the stipulated timeline of 31st October 2026. All concerned zones and agencies were directed to ensure strict compliance with the Commission’s Statutory Directions and strengthen dust mitigation measures for effective control and mitigation of road dust pollution and improvement of air quality in Delhi-NCR.