CAC Reviews MCD Dust Control and Road Cleaning Preparations for Winter

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAC) conducted a comprehensive review of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) preparedness for the winter season. The review covered all 12 zones and focused on dust control and road cleaning measures. According to the Press Information Bureau release dated 12 October 2026, the review was initiated following CAC's notice dated 7 October 2026, which was issued after an inspection on 3 October 2026 that identified significant dust and construction and demolition (C&D) waste accumulation on roads. The meeting was chaired by CAC Chairman Shri Rajesh Verma and attended by MCD Commissioners and all 12 zone Deputy Commissioners, who were called upon to explain their actions and preparations.

• ✓Review based on CAC notice dated 7 October 2026, triggered by inspection findings on 3 October 2026.
• ✓All 12 zone officials presented zone-wise preparations and implemented rules.
• ✓Machinery and cleaning staff deployment was examined for effectiveness.

MCD zones reported deploying a range of mechanical and manual measures to control dust and maintain road cleanliness. The Press Information Bureau release dated 12 October 2026 lists the equipment being used across all zones, including Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSM), water sprinkling machines, water tankers, anti-smog guns, jetting machines, and specific cleaning teams. In addition to machinery, zones outlined measures such as repair of potholes and damaged road sections, construction of pucca roads on vacant plots, increasing greenery on dusty spots, and intensified cleaning in sensitive areas.

• ✓Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSM), water sprinkling machines, water tankers, anti-smog guns, and jetting machines are in use across all 12 zones.
• ✓Zones are repairing potholes and damaged road sections to reduce dust generation.
• ✓Greenery is being increased at identified dusty spots to mitigate airborne particles.

The winter season preparations, as detailed in the CAC release, include intensive cleaning campaigns, special measures as per identified hotspots, better management of designated C&D waste storage centers, regular inspections, and action against open burning, improper waste disposal, and other pollution-causing activities. CAC emphasized the need for joint work with other agencies, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and Railways, to address dust spreading activities and pending infrastructure issues. The objective is to effectively control and reduce road dust pollution and improve air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.

• ✓Intensive cleaning campaigns and hotspot-specific measures are planned.
• ✓Joint coordination with PWD, DDA, DJB, and Railways is mandated.
• ✓Action against open burning and improper waste disposal is emphasized.

CAC issued several enforcement directives during the review. The Commission directed that all measures for better road cleaning and continuous dust reduction must be implemented effectively. It stated that continuous deficiency or negligence in implementing prescribed dust control measures will be taken seriously, and responsible agencies or officers may be prosecuted. MCD Deputy Commissioners were directed to ensure effective use of deployed machinery and cleaning staff, and to increase machinery in accordance with work volume and actual needs. Regular cleaning of identified roads, immediate removal of accumulated dust and C&D waste, and scientific disposal were given priority. Special focus was placed on damaged roads and dust-generating spots.

• ✓Non-compliance with dust control measures may lead to prosecution of responsible agencies or officers.
• ✓Deputy Commissioners must ensure machinery is used effectively and increased as needed.
• ✓Regular cleaning and immediate removal of dust and C&D waste are priorities, with special focus on damaged roads.

A key outcome of the CAC review was the specification of a compliance deadline. CAC reiterated that accumulated dust and waste from roads and open areas must be ensured to be removed within the prescribed time-frame of 31 October 2026. All concerned zones and agencies were directed to strictly comply with CAC's statutory instructions and strengthen dust control measures. The 12 zones reviewed were: External North Zone (Narela), City SP Zone (Old Delhi), Civil Lines Zone (North), Rohini Zone (North-West), Central North Zone (Keshavpuram), Central Zone (Karol Bagh), South Zone, Central Zone (South-East), Najafgarh Zone (South-West), West Zone, Shahdara South Zone (East), and Shahdara North Zone (North-East).

• ✓Deadline for removal of accumulated dust and waste is 31 October 2026.
• ✓All 12 specified zones must comply with CAC instructions.
• ✓Agencies must strengthen measures to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR.