The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted a special inspection drive under "Operation Clean Air" in Delhi on 08.07.2026. During the inspection, 78 of the 79 road stretches inspected under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were found to have end-to-end paving, indicating compliance with the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads prescribed by the Commission.

The inspection was undertaken to assess the status of road redevelopment works carried out in accordance with the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads issued and notified to GNCTD and NCR State Governments by the Commission on 07.01.2025.

For the inspection drive, 10 Flying Squads of the Commission were deployed to inspect road stretches under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The inspection covered 79 road stretches spanning about 13 kilometres across different parts of Delhi.

During the inspection, 78 of the 79 road stretches inspected were found to have end-to-end paving. On the remaining one road stretch, road construction and redevelopment work was found to be in progress.

Earlier, on 18.06.2026, the Commission had deployed nine Flying Squads to inspect 48 road stretches covering about 69 kilometres under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD), GNCTD, targeting roads across different Right of Way (RoW) categories, namely less than 10 metres, 10-15 metres and greater than 15 metres. 

During that inspection, end-to-end paving was observed on 41 road stretches covering about 66 kilometres. However, seven road stretches were found without complete end-to-end paving, while unpaved or missing pathways were observed along nine road stretches and paved central verges were absent on 21 road stretches, highlighting the need for further improvement in accordance with the prescribed Framework. Also, an explanation for wrong reporting has been sought from PWD.

The Commission observed that the road redevelopment works undertaken by MCD have significantly improved paving along the inspected road stretches, which shall help mitigate road dust emissions, one of the major sources of particulate pollution in urban areas.

The Commission reiterated that proper paving of roads and adjoining pathways plays a vital role in minimizing the resuspension of dust due to vehicular movement and enhancing the effectiveness of mechanized road sweeping and other dust mitigation measures. The Commission has advised the concerned authorities to ensure timely completion of the remaining redevelopment work and maintain the redeveloped road infrastructure through regular upkeep and maintenance.

The Commission further emphasized that implementation of the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads by all road-owning agencies across Delhi-NCR remains essential for long-term mitigation of road dust. Inspection drives shall continue across Delhi-NCR to monitor on-ground implementation of various air pollution control measures and facilitate timely corrective actions wherever required.

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