In a push to curb rising dust pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday signed a tripartite agreement with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to facilitate the implementation of a standardised framework for the redevelopment of urban roads, including paving and greening of footpaths and sidewalks — a measure seen as critical to reducing dust levels, a major contributor to air pollution in the region.
The agreement also envisions the setting up of a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) at CAQM, with technical support from CRRI and SPA. The cell will be tasked with overseeing the phased rollout of the redevelopment framework across NCR states.
In the first phase, nine cities — all with significant urban and industrial footprints — have been identified for implementation. These include Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi and Neemrana. Officials said the cities were selected after consultations with the state governments and the Delhi administration.
According to CAQM, the standard framework includes scientific redesigning of road cross-sections, integration of green buffers along the right of way (ROW), and use of a web-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for regular maintenance. The plan also calls for adoption of newer technologies in road construction and dust control.
Both CRRI and SPA will provide technical and institutional support to the PMC, including help with recruitment, training and ongoing project guidance. A digital dashboard will also be developed to enable real-time monitoring of individual road projects, the commission said.
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.
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