The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) detected 28 instances of highly visible road dust and accumulated construction and demolition (C&D) waste during a special inspection drive across Noida on Friday, 9 May 2025. The findings, disclosed in an official statement on Saturday, point to systemic gaps in dust suppression and waste disposal along key urban stretches.

Scale of the Inspection Drive

A total of 19 flying squad teams constituted by the Commission were deployed across Noida, covering 46 road stretches under the jurisdiction of the Noida Authority. The teams focused on assessing visible road dust levels and reviewing the adequacy of road cleaning and sweeping operations across the city.

Key Violations and Affected Sectors

The 28 instances of high-visible road dust and C&D waste accumulation were observed at multiple locations, including Sectors 20, 21, 59, 62, 80, 82, 83, 84, 87, 88, 138, 140, 141, and 145. The inspection findings pointed to deficiencies in regular sweeping operations, dust suppression measures, and the scientific handling and disposal of C&D waste at certain stretches. Notably, road dust remains one of the major contributors to particulate pollution in urban areas, making sustained mitigation efforts critical for air quality improvement across the Delhi-NCR region.

CAQM Directives to Noida Authority

The Commission has directed the authorities concerned to intensify dust mitigation measures through regular mechanised sweeping, targeted water sprinkling, and timely lifting and disposal of accumulated C&D waste. The Noida Authority has also been advised to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent unauthorised dumping and ensure sustained compliance with prescribed environmental norms. The Commission emphasised that any lapses in the implementation of dust mitigation measures and negligence by concerned officers will be viewed seriously, with appropriate action to be taken against officers found responsible for such deficiencies.

Operation Clean Air to Continue Across Delhi-NCR

The Commission reiterated that 'Operation Clean Air' drives will continue across Delhi-NCR as part of ongoing efforts to identify air pollution hotspots and mitigate localised sources of air pollution. The Commission stressed the need for continuous field-level vigilance, improved maintenance practices, and accountability-driven implementation of dust control measures. Agencies and officials have assured that necessary corrective actions will be taken based on the observations made during the inspection drive. With summer conditions typically worsening particulate levels across the NCR, the frequency and scope of such enforcement drives are expected to increase in the weeks ahead.