CAQM conducts survey, finds 102 dust hotspots in Greater Noida

Noida: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has flagged 102 locations, including sectors Ecotech, Knowledge Park and Omicron, with visible road dust following a day-long inspection of major stretches across Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, raising concerns over gaps in road-cleaning and dust-control measures.In a survey report shared on Thursday, the Commission said infrequent mechanical sweeping, heavy vehicular movement and poor housekeeping along road margins were the primary contributors to dust accumulation.
Eight joint teams of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) surveyed 35 sectors on Jan 27, covering key arterial corridors as well as internal roads. The teams submitted a consolidated report to the Commission, supported by geotagged and time-stamped photographic evidence.The inspection was carried out as part of CAQM's monitoring, review and enforcement actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).According to the findings, dust-prone stretches were identified across multiple sectors, including Beta, Delta, Alpha, Gamma, Eta, Sigma, Omicron, Zeta, Ecotech, Knowledge Park and Techzone. Teams also reported visible road dust on wide arterial roads—60-metre, 80-metre and 130-metre corridors—that connect major junctions and rotaries."The inspection showed that visible road dust continues to be a matter of concern at several locations in Greater Noida. A total of 102 instances of visible road dust violations were observed across the inspected areas," the Commission said.Following the inspection, CAQM directed the Greater Noida Authority to intensify mechanical sweeping, ensure regular water sprinkling and improve the prompt lifting and scientific disposal of collected dust and debris. It also called for better upkeep of roadsides and central verges, optimal deployment of sweeping machines, continuous performance monitoring and fixing accountability for lapses.Residents, however, questioned the timing of the inspection. Alok Singh, a resident of Sector Alpha 1, said road dust had been a persistent problem in Greater Noida, noting that the inspection coincided with two days of light rainfall. "The results would have been far worse if the inspection had been carried out on a dry day," he said.Similar concerns were echoed in Greater Noida West. Manish Kumar, a resident of Supertech Eco Village 1, said the road outside the housing complex was riddled with potholes, a situation he described as common across the area due to rampant construction activity and the frequent movement of heavy trucks carrying building material. He added that several roadside stretches remain unpaved and dust-laden, despite repeated complaints to the Authority, with little effective action on the ground.Earlier this month, CAQM teams inspected 142 spots in Noida and reported low or no visible dust at most locations. However, following media reports and feedback from residents, the Commission directed UPPCB Noida to conduct a fresh inspection of 23 identified locations and submit a detailed report.