New Delhi – Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday launched an ambitious Delhi dust control initiative, directing the Public Works Department to undertake an intensive 45-day citywide cleanup mission targeting road dust, debris, and waste accumulation. The operation covers 1,400 kilometers of arterial roads under PWD jurisdiction, with the chief minister warning that “no laxity will be tolerated” while emphasizing that accountability has been fixed for every officer involved in this critical environmental exercise.
Comprehensive Deployment of Resources
The Delhi dust control campaign involves substantial resource mobilization, with PWD deploying 200 maintenance vans to carry out round-the-clock operations including cleaning, pothole filling, debris removal, and dust suppression activities. Each van has been assigned the responsibility of deep cleaning at least 200 meters of road daily, ensuring systematic coverage of Delhi’s extensive road network under direct supervision of junior or assistant engineers.
“Our government is fully committed to improving Delhi’s air quality and will not tolerate negligence. Every officer will be held individually accountable,” Gupta stated, emphasizing that the Delhi dust control initiative specifically targets dust, which ranks among the major contributors to the capital’s elevated PM10 and PM2.5 pollution levels.
Officials confirmed that work is progressing rapidly across PWD-maintained stretches, where specialized teams are executing multiple tasks simultaneously. These include cleaning kerb channels and footpaths, removing accumulated dust layers, repairing damaged signage and malfunctioning streetlights, and coordinating closely with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to prevent fresh waste dumping that could undermine cleanup efforts.
Weekly Reviews and Accountability Framework
To ensure the Delhi dust control mission meets its ambitious timeline, weekly reviews are being conducted to monitor progress and address any implementation challenges. This systematic oversight mechanism aims to guarantee completion within the stipulated 45-day deadline while maintaining quality standards across all cleanup activities.
Additionally, 60 specialized horticulture vans have been deployed specifically for tree pruning and greenery upkeep along roadsides. “The upkeep of roadside trees and proper management of dust and debris are essential to improve air quality. Departments have been instructed to ensure visible results within 45 days,” Gupta emphasized, highlighting the integrated approach combining infrastructure maintenance with environmental enhancement.
MCD Coordination and Waste Management
In a parallel meeting focused on the Delhi dust control initiative, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood reviewed cleanliness and pollution control measures with MCD officials. The civic body reported collecting 14,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, underscoring the massive scale of Delhi’s waste generation and management challenges.
Sood directed faster implementation of waste segregation protocols, more effective deployment of mechanical sweepers, smog guns and sprinklers, and announced upcoming inspections at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfill sites next week to assess operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
“The Delhi Government’s goal is not only to clean the city but to make it green and sustainable. Technology, transparency and public participation are the three pillars of our environmental action,” Sood declared, articulating the administration’s comprehensive vision beyond immediate cleanup objectives.
Intensive Enforcement and Compliance Checks
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa provided detailed statistics demonstrating the intensity of the Delhi dust control enforcement operations. “In the last 24 hours, our teams have inspected 387 construction and demolition sites, 79 municipal solid waste locations, 22 DG set installations, and 12 hotels and restaurants to check for fuel usage and dust control compliance. Action has been taken wherever violations were found,” he stated.
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The minister revealed that more than 500 inspections were conducted citywide in the previous 24 hours by over 1,200 enforcement teams deployed from various government departments. “We have intensified dust mitigation and road-cleaning operations across all pollution hotspots. The chief minister has issued clear directions to ensure that every agency remains active on the ground,” Sirsa added.
Quantifiable Results and Swift Action
The Delhi dust control campaign has already produced measurable results demonstrating the administration’s seriousness. In a single day, enforcement teams issued 9,325 vehicular challans for violations, diverted 83 trucks carrying unauthorized loads, resolved 454 citizen complaints, and lifted 2,348 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste—underlining the unprecedented scale of civic action being undertaken.
Furthermore, 128 inter-state buses were inspected at Delhi’s borders as part of the ongoing enforcement drive, ensuring that pollution control measures extend beyond the city’s internal boundaries to address vehicular emissions entering from neighboring states.
Technology-Driven Sustainable Approach
The Delhi dust control initiative represents a departure from previous ad-hoc cleanup efforts, incorporating technology, transparency, and public participation as foundational elements. By deploying mechanical sweepers, smog guns, and monitoring systems alongside traditional manual cleaning, the government aims to create sustainable long-term solutions rather than temporary cosmetic improvements.
The emphasis on individual officer accountability, coupled with weekly progress reviews and multi-department coordination, signals a structured approach designed to deliver tangible air quality improvements. With dust contributing significantly to PM10 and PM2.5 levels that frequently push Delhi into hazardous air quality categories, this comprehensive Delhi dust control campaign addresses a critical environmental and public health challenge facing the capital’s residents.
