New Delhi

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Tuesday carried out an inspection drive in Faridabad, Haryana, to assess road dust mitigation measures and the maintenance of road stretches under the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF), as part of intensified enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

According to an official release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the inspection was conducted under Operation Clean Air to evaluate on-ground implementation of road cleaning and sweeping measures and to identify dust-prone locations, including areas with municipal solid waste (MSW) accumulation.

A total of nine inspection teams comprising officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) were deployed. The teams inspected 127 road stretches and submitted geo-tagged, time-stamped photographic evidence to the Commission as part of a consolidated report.

The findings revealed that while a majority of road stretches showed low or no visible dust, several locations required focused attention. Of the inspected stretches, 17 were found to have high dust levels and 25 had moderate dust levels, while 66 recorded low dust levels and 19 showed no visible dust. Areas with high dust were often linked to accumulation of MSW and construction and demolition (C&D) waste, particularly along major corridors, junctions and service roads. Isolated instances of open burning were also observed.

The Commission stressed the need for immediate corrective measures at identified hotspots, including intensified mechanical sweeping, regular water sprinkling, timely removal and scientific disposal of waste, and strict enforcement against dumping and open burning. The MCF has been advised to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure uniform implementation of dust control measures to prevent re-accumulation.

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The release stated that inspection and enforcement drives under Operation Clean Air will continue regularly across the region to ensure strict compliance with statutory directions and GRAP measures. CAQM reiterated its commitment to coordinated action with all concerned agencies to ensure cleaner and dust-free road infrastructure.