CAQM, CSIR-CRRI & SPA Join Forces to Combat Road Dust Pollution in NCR

In a significant move to tackle road dust pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi. This collaboration, announced on June 10, 2025, aims to implement a standardized urban road redevelopment framework, integrating scientific road engineering, greening solutions, and digital asset management systems to enhance air quality across highly urbanized NCR cities.

Why in News?

The tripartite MoU was signed on June 10, 2025, in New Delhi. The initiative targets dust pollution—a major contributor to poor air quality in NCR. The project will focus on nine key industrial/urban cities in the NCR during the first phase. A Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) will be established at CAQM with support from CRRI and SPA.

Aim and Objectives

• Main Aim: To reduce dust pollution by redeveloping urban roads using sustainable and standardized designs.

Objectives

• Implement a Standard Framework for road construction and maintenance.
• Improve air quality through greening and dust suppression measures.
• Enable data-driven project monitoring via a Web-GIS Road Asset Management System (RAMS).

Cities Included in Phase-1

• Delhi
• Faridabad
• Gurugram
• Sonipat
• Ghaziabad
• Noida
• Greater Noida
• Bhiwadi
• Neemrana

Roles and Responsibilities

• CAQM: Implementation authority; will house the Project Monitoring Cell (PMC).

CSIR-CRRI

• Expertise in road engineering, construction, and asset management.
• Technical support for designing cross-section profiles and adopting new technologies.

SPA-New Delhi

• Inputs in urban planning and greening of sidewalks and pathways.
• Support sustainable development and landscape integration.

Key Components of the Standard Framework

• Road cross-section designs based on ROW width and urban needs.
• Greening measures such as plantation, paving, and dust barriers.
• Use of Web-GIS-based RAMS for smart tracking of road quality and repairs.
• Dashboard development for project-wise monitoring and transparency.

Long-Term Significance

• Reduces particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emissions from roads.
• Encourages scientific urban planning and sustainable road construction.
• Enhances the aesthetic and environmental quality of NCR cities.
• Establishes a replicable model for other polluted urban areas in India.