The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has summoned all 12 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) deputy commissioners for October 12 after its inspection teams found visible road dust and construction and demolition waste on 25 Ring Road stretches in the capital.
The deputy commissioners, who oversee MCD’s respective zones, have been asked to explain what action was taken against officials or agencies responsible for violations of the commission’s directions. CAQM said the summons followed inspections conducted by four of its flying squad teams on October 3.
The teams inspected Public Works Department roads that are cleaned by MCD and reported 17 violations involving highly visible road dust and the accumulation of C&D waste. The findings point to a gap between the responsibility for maintaining major roads and the enforcement of dust-control measures on the ground.
CAQM also cited public complaints received through social media. Till October 4, it had received 500 complaints linked to PWD roads and 1,711 complaints related to MCD, according to the commission. The complaint numbers cover concerns raised by residents about dust pollution and provide an additional indication of the scale of public reporting around road conditions.
The commission said it had directed all dust control and management cells in May to conduct a special campaign to identify, remove and scientifically dispose of legacy dust from roads, roadsides, medians and footpaths before and after the monsoon season. It also said MCD had been instructed during review meetings to undertake a deep-cleaning drive after the monsoon.
CAQM said that, despite the directions and orders issued by the commission, MCD had not taken proper action to ensure the complete mitigation of dust from roads and open areas. The commission’s latest intervention therefore places responsibility on the corporation’s zonal leadership rather than limiting the issue to individual road-cleaning failures.
Road dust and construction waste are among the recurring sources of particulate pollution in Delhi’s built-up areas. Their control depends on regular mechanical or manual cleaning, the removal of accumulated material, proper handling of C&D waste and oversight of agencies responsible for roads and public spaces. The inspection findings concern stretches maintained through an arrangement involving PWD roads and MCD cleaning operations.
At the October 12 appearance, the 12 deputy commissioners are expected to explain the action taken after the violations and whether officials or agencies were held accountable. CAQM’s statement did not specify any further penalties or enforcement measures beyond the summons.
