CAQM flags dust, waste lapses in Gurugram during Operation Clean Air inspection under GRAP norms framework
New Delhi, December 27
As part of its continuous monitoring and enforcement efforts under the statutory framework of the extant Graded Response Action Plan, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas conducted an extensive inspection drive on Friday in Gurugram to review road-cleaning and sweeping operations and upkeep of road stretches maintained by the Municipal Corporation Gurugram, said a CAQM release.
The inspection was carried out under 'Operation Clean Air' with the objective of evaluating on-ground compliance with dust mitigation measures and identifying associated issues such as accumulation of road dust, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste and instances of open burning.
According to a CAQM release, a total of 17 inspection teams, comprising 15 teams of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and 02 teams of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), were directed by the Commission for inspection of 125 road stretches under the jurisdiction of MCG in Gurugram. Geo-tagged and time-stamped photographic documentation was collected by the inspection teams and submitted to the Commission as part of the consolidated inspection report.
The inspection found that of the 125 road stretches inspected, 34 exhibited high visible dust, 58 showed Moderate Dust, 29 recorded Low Dust intensity, and only 04 showed No Visible Dust. A large number of stretches with high visible dust were also found to have significant accumulations of MSW and C&D waste, along with multiple instances of open burning, indicating serious deficiencies in routine road maintenance, waste management, and enforcement at the field level.
Several road stretches across different wards and sectors of Gurugram, including residential colonies, internal roads and arterial stretches, were identified with persistent dust accumulation and waste dumping. The presence of open burning andunmanaged waste on multiple stretches further aggravated the dust conditions, highlighting the need for immediate corrective measures and strengthened supervision by the concerned agency.
The Commission observed that the overall inspection results point towards the need for significant strengthening of on-ground operations by MCG, particularly with respect to regular mechanical sweeping, timely lifting and scientific disposal of collected dust and waste, active water sprinkling and dust-suppression measures, and strict prevention of open burning. The Commission emphasized that sustained and focused efforts are essential to ensure visible improvement in road conditions and to prevent reaccumulation of dust and waste.
The Commission reiterated that inspection and enforcement drives under 'Operation Clean Air' will continue to be carried out regularly across the NCR to ensure strict adherence to its Statutory Directions and GRAP measures for dust mitigation andprevention of open burning. The Commission is working on war-footing to ensure clean, green and dust-free road stretches in the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I live in Sector 56 and the dust on the internal roads is unbearable. My child has developed a persistent cough. Inspections are good, but where is the accountability? The report says "strengthened supervision" but we need immediate action, not just more reports.
Respectfully, while CAQM is doing its job flagging issues, the real problem is with the contractors hired by MCG. The sweeping machines are rarely seen, and when they are, they just push the dust to the side of the road. We need a complete overhaul of the system and proper monitoring.
The open burning part is shocking. It's 2024 and we still have people burning waste openly? This is a basic civic sense issue that needs public awareness campaigns alongside strict fines. The pollution affects everyone.
Good step by CAQM. Naming and shaming through data is important. "Working on war-footing" – I'll believe it when I see clean roads. Hope they follow up and penalize the officials responsible. Our health is not a joke.
It's the same story every winter. The air turns toxic and then suddenly there are inspections. Why can't this be a year-round priority? Proper waste management and daily road cleaning should be non-negotiable for a city like Gurugram. We deserve better.
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