Air quality body orders action against official over dust control lapses

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to prosecute an official for neglecting to implement mandatory dust control measures in the city. The directive follows ground inspections that documented significant violations of environmental safeguards.

During the examination, investigators found substantial quantities of loose soil, construction waste, and demolition debris scattered along multiple road stretches without proper containment or management. The accumulation of such materials is a known contributor to particulate matter pollution, a critical concern in the National Capital Region during winter months when air quality deteriorates sharply.

Dust mitigation measures are mandatory under various environmental regulations and air quality management protocols applicable across the region. These include proper covering of construction sites, regular water sprinkling on exposed surfaces, and timely removal of debris to prevent wind-borne dispersion.

The action represents CAQM's intensified enforcement drive to ensure compliance with air quality standards. Municipal and construction authorities across the region face increasing scrutiny as governments work to combat seasonal air pollution that frequently reaches hazardous levels in North India.