**Executive Summary**
On May 26, 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a special inspection drive in Ghaziabad to evaluate road cleaning and dust control measures. Ten Flying Squads identified 24 instances of high visible dust and improper waste handling across four zones, leading to strict directives for immediate corrective action. The CAQM emphasized officer accountability and reiterated that these inspections under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue across the Delhi-NCR region.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Inspection Findings and Observations**
* Ten Flying Squads inspected various road stretches under the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam, identifying 24 violations related to visible road dust and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste.
* Major violations were recorded at Surdas Marg, Meerut Road, Tagore Road, B. N. Sharma Road, St. Thomas Marg, Maharana Pratap Marg, and Industrial Area Road (E Block).
* Gaps were identified in regular sweeping operations, dust suppression efforts, and the scientific disposal of C&D waste.
**Mandated Dust Mitigation Measures**
* Authorities must intensify deep cleaning operations and implement regular mechanized road sweeping.
* Targeted water sprinkling and the prompt lifting of accumulated C&D waste are required.
* Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam is directed to strengthen monitoring and enforcement to prevent unauthorized dumping.
**Administrative and Enforcement Directives**
* The Commission has ordered authorities to fix accountability and take disciplinary action against officers found negligent in implementing dust control measures.
* Continuous on-ground vigilance is required to address road dust, which is a significant contributor to Particulate Matter (PM) levels.
* Ongoing inspection drives under ‘Operation Clean Air’ will continue to target air pollution hotspots across the Delhi-NCR region.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam**
**Impact**
The municipal body is under direct scrutiny for operational gaps in sweeping and waste management. It faces increased pressure to meet prescribed air pollution mitigation norms.
**Action Required**
Must strengthen enforcement mechanisms, ensure regular mechanized sweeping, and facilitate the scientific disposal of C&D waste.
**Concerned Officers and Officials**
**Impact**
Officers are now subject to strict accountability measures, with potential disciplinary actions for any further lapses or negligence.
**Action Required**
Must expeditiously implement corrective measures and maintain continuous on-ground vigilance to ensure compliance with dust mitigation protocols.
**CAQM Flying Squads**
**Impact**
These units remain the primary enforcement arm for 'Operation Clean Air' across the region.
**Action Required**
Continue conducting intensive field inspections and assessment drives to identify and mitigate localized pollution sources in Delhi-NCR.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The primary regulatory body responsible for conducting inspections and directing air pollution mitigation measures in the Delhi-NCR region.
Operation Clean Air: An ongoing initiative involving inspection drives across Delhi-NCR to identify air pollution hotspots and mitigate localized pollution sources.
Ghaziabad: The central location where the special inspection drive was conducted to evaluate road dust levels and waste management compliance.
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam: The local municipal authority responsible for executing road cleaning operations, dust suppression, and the disposal of construction and demolition waste.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Conducts Special Inspection Drive in
Ghaziabad, Orders Stronger Dust Control
Measures
Posted On: 27 MAY 2026 9:21PM by PIB Delhi
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted a special
inspection drive in Ghaziabad on 26.05.2026, focusing on assessment of visible road dust levels and
evaluation of road cleaning and sweeping operations being undertaken by the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam.
Ten Flying Squads were deployed by the Commission for conducting the inspection drive across various
road stretches and areas under the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam. A total of four zones/areas
were covered during the inspection.
During the field inspection, 24 instances of high visible road dust and accumulation of Construction and
Demolition (C&D) waste were observed at multiple locations. Violations were identified across different
road stretches including Surdas Marg, Meerut Road, Tagore Road, B. N. Sharma Road, St. Thomas Marg,
Maharana Pratap Marg, Industrial Area Road (E Block), etc.
The observations indicated gaps in regular sweeping operations, inadequate dust suppression measures
along with improper handling and disposal of C&D waste at several stretches.
The Commission has directed the concerned authorities to intensify dust mitigation measures through
comprehensive deep cleaning operations, regular mechanized road sweeping, targeted water sprinkling
and prompt lifting and scientific disposal of accumulated C&D waste.
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam has also been advised to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to
prevent unauthorized dumping and ensure compliance with prescribed norms for air pollution mitigation
in the region.
The Commission emphasized that any lapse in implementation of prescribed dust mitigation measures and
negligence by the concerned officers would be viewed seriously. The concerned authorities have been
advised to fix accountability and take appropriate action(s) against officers found responsible for such
gaps.
The Commission highlighted that road dust continues to remain a significant contributor to aggravating
Particulate Matter (PM) levels in urban areas and requires focused and targeted mitigation efforts by all
concerned agencies. Emphasis was laid on continuous on-ground vigilance and implementation of
effective dust control measures.
The Commission further reiterated that inspection drives under ‘Operation Clean Air’ would continue
across Delhi-NCR as part of ongoing efforts to identify air pollution hotspots and mitigate localized
pollution sources.
The concerned agencies and officials assured the Commission that necessary corrective measures would
be undertaken expeditiously based on the observations made during the inspection drive.*****
VM/GS
(Release ID: 2266068) Visitor Counter : 623
Read this release in: ही