Flying squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) detected 17 violations of prescribed air pollution norms — involving highly visible road dust and accumulated Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste — during a targeted inspection drive along Ring Road and Outer Ring Road in New Delhi on 4 October 2026. The drive, conducted on Saturday under the Commission's ongoing Operation Clean Air initiative, covered 25 road stretches spanning approximately 35 km of the Inner and Outer Ring Road network.

Scope of the Inspection Drive

Four flying squad teams constituted by the CAQM were deployed specifically to inspect roads falling under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD). The drive was designed to assess the presence of visible road dust and gauge the effectiveness of road-cleaning and sweeping operations along these arterial corridors. According to an official statement, the inspection forms part of the Commission's broader push to strengthen dust mitigation measures and improve road cleanliness for effective air pollution abatement across the Delhi-NCR region.

Key Violations Found

Of the 25 road stretches inspected, 17 instances of high visible road dust and accumulation of C&D waste were recorded across the carriageways and roadsides. Officials noted that such accumulation directly contributes to the resuspension of dust particles due to vehicular movement, adversely impacting ambient air quality in one of India's most densely trafficked urban corridors. The findings indicate, according to the CAQM statement, 'the need for strict and effective implementation of prescribed road-cleaning, sweeping and dust mitigation measures by the concerned road-owning agencies.'

What the CAQM Has Directed

The Commission has directed Delhi's Public Works Department and other relevant agencies to take immediate corrective measures to control road dust on a priority basis. CAQM has emphasised that road stretches under each agency's jurisdiction must be maintained in a clean, dust-free condition through regular sweeping, timely removal of accumulated dust and C&D waste, and prompt corrective action wherever gaps are identified. The Commission reiterated that regular and effective cleaning operations are critical for preventing dust resuspension caused by vehicular movement.

What Comes Next

Inspection drives under Operation Clean Air are set to continue across Delhi-NCR to monitor on-ground implementation of air pollution abatement measures, identify compliance gaps, and facilitate timely corrective action by the agencies concerned. With Delhi's winter air quality season approaching — historically the most severe period for particulate matter — pressure on enforcement agencies is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.