Delhi-NCR Roads To Get Green Makeover Under New CAQM-Led Anti-Dust Plan

In a move to tackle road dust pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi.

According to the official statement, the partnership aims to implement a Standard Framework for the redevelopment of urban roads, which includes paving and greening of pathways and sidewalks to curb dust pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

The MoU paves the way for setting up a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) at CAQM, with facilitation by CRRI and SPA.

This cell will oversee the phased implementation of the framework across NCR states.

In the initial phase, the programme will cover nine urban and industrial hubs: Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, and Neemrana.

The collaboration draws on the engineering and road asset expertise of CSIR-CRRI and the urban planning and greening proficiency of SPA. The comprehensive framework includes:

• Cross Section design for different types of Roads and width of Right of Way (ROW),

• Mitigation of Road Dust within the Right-of-way through Greening Measures,

• Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for effective road maintenance regime, and,

• Adoption of new technologies in road construction and maintenance.

Under the agreement, CRRI and SPA will provide technical and institutional support to CAQM’s PMC, guiding staffing and training, as well as offering ongoing support for project execution.

A dedicated dashboard will be developed to track and monitor progress in real-time.

“Transforming urban roads through scientific design, sustainable greening, and modern technologies is one of the key long term solutions for abating dust pollution from the roads and improvement of air quality in the region,” the official statement stated.

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