Road dust mainly comprises PM₁₀ and coarse particles and forms a large share of the air we breathe. With the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aiming for a 40% reduction in PM₁₀ by 2025-2026, reducing road dust is an urgent priority.
Efforts to control road dust have been underway for several years. In January 2018, the Union Environment Ministry issued a notification to mitigate dust at construction sites, mandating paving and blacktopping of roads leading up to such sites. In 2021, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) recommended the establishment of ‘Dust Control and Management Cells’. Following statutory directions from the CAQM, 68
Cells were set up to undertake a comprehensive set of actions, including identifying dust hotspots, paving and repairing roads and roadsides, greening central verges and roadsides, and deploying mechanised road-sweeping machines and anti-smog guns. The CAQM periodically reviews these activities. However, dust from roads and open areas remains a major driver of poor air quality in Delhi-NCR.
Addressing road and open-area dust across India will require a holistic and timebound approach, embedded within a long-term, sustainable urban planning framework. A comprehensive, science-based regulatory mechanism for cleaner road construction and maintenance, considering open roadsides and air quality as critical components of infrastructure development plans, is essential. Thoughtfully designed and consistently implemented dust control strategies can significantly enhance air quality, protect public health, and help build more resilient and liveable cities.
Dr Charu Tyagi co-authored the article.
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| Date | 24 November 2025 |
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