The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi has directed the Municipal Corporation to clear accumulated dust, garbage and construction waste from the roads by October 31. The CAQM authorities ordered the decluttering of all of the 12 zones in the capital, warning of prosecution against agencies if gaps were found.
The mandate came at a hearing chaired by CAQM chairperson Rajesh Verma, summoned following an October 3 inspection. It found heavy visible dust and construction and demolition (C&D) waste on PWD-maintained roads cleaned by MCD. The MCD commissioner and deputy commissioners of all 12 zones were asked to explain their winter preparedness, as per the CAQM release.
The Commission stated that accumulated “legacy" dust, silt, malba, garbage and C&D waste must be removed from roads, roadsides, medians, footpaths and open areas by the deadline. Deputy commissioners were told to use deployed machinery and sanitation staff effectively and add more where the workload demands. The areas which were reviewed included Narela, City SP (Old Delhi), Civil Line, Rohini, Keshavpuram, Karol Bagh, South, Central (South East), Najafgarh, West, Shahdara South and Shahdara North zones.
What should locals keep in mind?
Authorities have warned against open burning, improper waste disposal and other polluting activities, so dumping rubble or burning garbage is a risk. The release lists no penalties for residents. Some stretches may also stay dusty longer because they fall under other agencies, and MCD flagged the need to coordinate with PWD, DDA, DJB and Railways on pending infrastructure issues.
As Delhi prepares for its winter action plan to combat worsening air quality, the CAQM's tight deadline puts the onus squarely on local authorities to ensure sustained street-level execution. While civic bodies work to clear legacy waste across all 12 zones, the ultimate success of this anti-pollution drive will hinge on seamless inter-agency coordination and strict public adherence to waste disposal guidelines.