Air Quality Commission Identifies 102 Dust-Prone Locations in Greater Noida
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has raised significant concerns over road dust accumulation in Greater Noida, flagging 102 specific locations following a comprehensive day-long inspection. The survey, which covered major stretches across Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, highlighted visible road dust in sectors such as Ecotech, Knowledge Park, and Omicron, pointing to critical gaps in road-cleaning and dust-control measures.
Inspection Findings and Contributing Factors
In a detailed report shared on Thursday, the Commission attributed the dust accumulation to several key factors:
- Infrequent mechanical sweeping of roads
- Heavy vehicular movement contributing to dust dispersion
- Poor housekeeping along road margins and central verges
Eight joint teams from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) conducted the inspection on January 27, surveying 35 sectors. The teams focused on key arterial corridors as well as internal roads, documenting their findings with geotagged and time-stamped photographic evidence. This inspection was part of CAQM's ongoing monitoring, review, and enforcement actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Identified Dust-Prone Areas and Road Conditions
The inspection revealed dust-prone stretches across multiple sectors, including:
- Beta, Delta, Alpha, and Gamma sectors
- Eta, Sigma, Omicron, and Zeta sectors
- Ecotech, Knowledge Park, and Techzone areas
Teams reported visible road dust on wide arterial roads, such as 60-metre, 80-metre, and 130-metre corridors that connect major junctions and rotaries. The Commission stated, "The inspection showed that visible road dust continues to be a matter of concern at several locations in Greater Noida. A total of 102 instances of visible road dust violations were observed across the inspected areas."
Directives Issued to Greater Noida Authority
Following the inspection, CAQM directed the Greater Noida Authority to implement several corrective measures:
- Intensify mechanical sweeping operations on roads
- Ensure regular water sprinkling to suppress dust
- Improve prompt lifting and scientific disposal of collected dust and debris
- Enhance upkeep of roadsides and central verges
- Optimize deployment of sweeping machines for maximum efficiency
- Conduct continuous performance monitoring and fix accountability for lapses
Resident Concerns and Local Feedback
Residents, however, questioned the timing and effectiveness of the inspection. Alok Singh, a resident of Sector Alpha 1, noted that road dust has been a persistent problem in Greater Noida, adding that the inspection coincided with two days of light rainfall. "The results would have been far worse if the inspection had been carried out on a dry day," he remarked.
Similar concerns were echoed in Greater Noida West. Manish Kumar, a resident of Supertech Eco Village 1, described the road outside his housing complex as riddled with potholes, a common issue due to rampant construction activity and frequent movement of heavy trucks carrying building materials. He added that several roadside stretches remain unpaved and dust-laden, despite repeated complaints to the Authority, with little effective action on the ground.
Previous Inspections and Ongoing Monitoring
Earlier this month, CAQM teams inspected 142 spots in Noida and reported low or no visible dust at most locations. However, following media reports and feedback from residents, the Commission directed UPPCB Noida to conduct a fresh inspection of 23 identified locations and submit a detailed report. This ongoing monitoring underscores the Commission's commitment to addressing air quality issues in the region, with a focus on enforcement and accountability.
