Air Quality Management Commission Conducts Inspection in Noida
Inspection of Road Cleanliness in Noida
On January 6, the Air Quality Management Commission (AQMC) carried out an inspection in Noida and surrounding areas. The primary goal of this initiative was to evaluate the cleanliness of unpaved roads, mechanical cleaning efforts, and overall maintenance by the Noida Authority.
According to the announcement, this inspection was part of the 'Operation Clean Air' initiative, aimed at assessing the implementation of dust control measures on the ground. It also sought to identify issues related to visible dust on roads, the accumulation of municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and open burning of garbage.
Details of the Inspection
For the inspection, a total of 10 teams were deployed, including officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and the AQMC flying squad. These teams examined 142 road segments under the jurisdiction of the Noida Authority. During the inspections, geographically tagged and time-stamped photographic evidence was collected and submitted as part of a consolidated report to the commission.
The findings from the inspections were generally positive. Out of the 142 road segments assessed, only 4 showed high levels of dust, while 24 segments had moderate dust levels, 66 segments exhibited low dust levels, and 48 segments showed no dust at all.
Identifying Dust Sources
The limited segments with high dust levels were often linked to the accumulation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and/or construction and demolition waste, particularly in areas like under flyovers, metro corridors, and specific main road segments. These observations highlight the need for focused attention on identified hotspots to prevent the re-accumulation of dust and waste, ensuring targeted cleaning and dust control measures across all road segments.
The commission emphasized the importance of regular mechanical cleaning, prompt collection of accumulated dust and waste, effective water spraying, and strict prevention of waste dumping and open burning, especially in sensitive areas, to ensure ongoing and intensive efforts.