MoUs Signed To Implement Road Dust Control Framework In Delhi-NCR

26 Feb 2026 CW Team

The framework issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) aims to improve road cross-sections, right-of-way (RoW) utilisation, greening measures and maintenance protocols across the NCR. The minister noted dust as a major contributor to PM 10 levels and said state action plans had been reviewed, with Delhi alone having 448 action points. He urged a special task force to map congested and dust-prone roads and recommended planting water-efficient bushes, with 30 suitable species identified.

CSIR-CRRI and SPA will provide technical advice and support development of a Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for preventive and predictive maintenance. CAQM had earlier set up a Project Monitoring Cell to provide oversight, and the new agreements formally include state road-owning agencies. Each state will identify a nodal agency and establish a Paving and Greening Cell to coordinate implementation.

The MoUs are valid initially for a period of three years and implementation will be phased with targeted action plans and digital monitoring. The total road length communicated for coverage comprises 10099 km in Delhi, 10133 km in Haryana, 6891 km in Uttar Pradesh and 1747 km in Rajasthan. The structured deployment of RAMS and standardised practices is expected to significantly reduce road dust emissions, improve road durability and service life, promote sustainable greening and strengthen inter-agency coordination under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and CAQM.

The Union Environment Minister presided over the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding to implement a standard framework and a Road Asset Management System for dust-free urban roads in the National Capital Region. The agreements were between the Public Works Departments and urban development departments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA). The ceremony at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan framed the initiative as coordinated action to abate road dust. The framework issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) aims to improve road cross-sections, right-of-way (RoW) utilisation, greening measures and maintenance protocols across the NCR. The minister noted dust as a major contributor to PM 10 levels and said state action plans had been reviewed, with Delhi alone having 448 action points. He urged a special task force to map congested and dust-prone roads and recommended planting water-efficient bushes, with 30 suitable species identified. CSIR-CRRI and SPA will provide technical advice and support development of a Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for preventive and predictive maintenance. CAQM had earlier set up a Project Monitoring Cell to provide oversight, and the new agreements formally include state road-owning agencies. Each state will identify a nodal agency and establish a Paving and Greening Cell to coordinate implementation. The MoUs are valid initially for a period of three years and implementation will be phased with targeted action plans and digital monitoring. The total road length communicated for coverage comprises 10099 km in Delhi, 10133 km in Haryana, 6891 km in Uttar Pradesh and 1747 km in Rajasthan. The structured deployment of RAMS and standardised practices is expected to significantly reduce road dust emissions, improve road durability and service life, promote sustainable greening and strengthen inter-agency coordination under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and CAQM.

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