CAQM Enforces New Rules for Road Sweeping to Tackle Air Pollution in NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas has taken a significant step to address air pollution by issuing comprehensive rules for road-owning and maintenance agencies. On Wednesday, officials announced that these agencies must deploy and utilize mechanized road sweeping machines to mitigate the harmful effects of road dust, a major contributor to poor air quality.
Road Dust Identified as Key Pollutant
According to the commission, road dust is a dominant source of coarse particulate matter (PM10) and remains a significant contributor to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), especially during the drier months. A senior CAQM official emphasized that inadequate and non-uniform road sweeping practices have led to elevated ambient particulate levels, adversely impacting the overall air quality in the NCR.
"Effective mechanized road sweeping is an essential air pollution abatement intervention for the NCR, which has the measurable potential to reduce road dust and consequently lower PM10 and PM2.5 levels," the official stated. This move aligns with recommendations from studies conducted by CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-NEERI, which highlighted the need for mechanized sweeping as a key action to control dust pollution.
Detailed Deployment Guidelines Issued
The new norms specify that mechanized road sweeping machines should be deployed based on road width to ensure the effectiveness of dust control efforts. Given the wide variation in Right of Way (RoW) across NCR roads, a RoW-appropriate deployment strategy is necessary for efficient removal of visible dust.
The notification further mandates that these machines must be equipped with an effective particulate matter dust filtration system to prevent the re-entrainment of PM during sweeping operations. Additionally, only CNG-fuelled or electric variant machines should be inducted into the new fleet, promoting cleaner energy sources.
Operational Requirements and Public Convenience
To enhance efficiency, the rules require that the machines be capable of operating for at least eight hours on a shift basis. Moreover, the day and schedule of road sweeping must be declared in advance for public convenience, ensuring minimal disruption to daily activities.
This initiative by CAQM aims to create a more systematic and environmentally friendly approach to road maintenance, directly targeting one of the primary sources of air pollution in the region. By implementing these measures, authorities hope to see a tangible improvement in air quality, benefiting the health and well-being of residents in Delhi and its surrounding areas.
