In a significant move to curb road dust pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has entered into a strategic tripartite MoU with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi.
This landmark collaboration is aimed at the effective implementation of the Standard Framework for Redevelopment of Urban Roads, with a focus on paving and greening of sidewalks and pathways to tackle one of the leading contributors to air pollution in the region—road dust.
Key Objectives of the MoU:
- Establishment of a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC): The PMC will be set up within CAQM with facilitation from CSIR-CRRI and SPA. It will oversee and support the phased implementation of the redevelopment framework in NCR states.
- Initial Focus Cities: The first phase will target nine highly urbanized and industrialized NCR cities—Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, and Neemrana.
The collaboration draws on the engineering expertise of CSIR-CRRI in road standardization, construction, and asset management, along with SPA’s strengths in sustainable urban planning and environmental greening.
Components of the Standard Framework:
- Cross-section Design for varied road types and widths of the Right of Way (ROW).
- Greening Measures to mitigate dust within the ROW.
- Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to ensure data-backed road maintenance.
- Adoption of Modern Technologies in road construction and upkeep.
Under the terms of the MoU, CSIR-CRRI and SPA will also advise CAQM on institutional support and guide the newly formed PMC. This includes determining appropriate staffing, mentoring hired personnel, and supporting the implementation of scientifically designed and environmentally sustainable urban roads.
A dedicated digital dashboard will also be launched to enable real-time monitoring and data-driven evaluation of road redevelopment projects.
A Long-Term Vision for Cleaner Air
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, officials emphasized that transforming urban roads through scientific design, sustainable greening, and advanced technologies is a critical long-term strategy to reduce dust pollution and improve air quality across the NCR.
This MoU marks a decisive step in the direction of integrated urban infrastructure planning and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the government’s commitment to cleaner, healthier cities.
