Operation Clean Air –

NEW DELHI: As part of its continued efforts to strengthen implementation of dust mitigation measures and improve road cleanliness for effective abatement of air pollution across Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted a special inspection drive under “Operation Clean Air” in Delhi on 03.10.2026. The inspection was undertaken to assess the presence of visible road dust and the effectiveness of road-cleaning and sweeping operations along the Ring Road.

For the inspection drive, 04 Flying Squad teams constituted by the Commission were deployed to inspect roads under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi. A total of 25 road stretches covering approximately 35 kilometres of the Inner and Outer Ring Road were inspected during the drive.

During the inspection, 17 violations of high visible road dust and accumulation of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste were reported across the inspected road stretches. The observations made during the inspection indicate the need for strict and effective implementation of prescribed road-cleaning, sweeping and dust mitigation measures by the concerned road owning agencies.

The Commission has emphasized that regular and effective road-cleaning and sweeping operations are critical for controlling road dust and preventing its resuspension due to vehicular movement. Accumulation of C&D waste and visible road dust on roadsides and carriageways can contribute to resuspension of dust due to vehicular movement and adversely impact ambient air quality.

PWD, Delhi and other concerned agencies are being directed to take appropriate corrective measures to control road dust on priority basis. The Commission has further emphasized that road stretches under the jurisdiction of concerned agencies should be maintained in a clean and dust-free condition through regular sweeping, removal of accumulated dust and C&D waste, and timely corrective action.

Inspection drives under “Operation Clean Air” shall continue across Delhi-NCR to assess on-ground implementation of various air pollution abatement measures, identify gaps in compliance and facilitate timely corrective action(s) by the concerned agencies.

By; Climate News Now (CNN)/ CAQM