CAQM signs MoU to reduce dust pollution through urban road redevelopment New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas on Wednesday issued rules for road ownership and maintenance agencies for deployment and use of mechanized road sweeping machines to reduce air pollution caused by road dust. (PM2. 5) too, especially during dry months.

“Inadequate and non-uniform road cleaning practices increase the levels of ambient particulate matter, thereby adversely impacting the overall air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR). Effective mechanized road cleaning is an essential air pollution abatement intervention for NCR, which has measurable potential to reduce road dust and consequently reduce PM 10 and PM 2.

5 levels,” said a senior CAQM official. CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-NEERI also recommended several actions to control dust pollution, including, inter alia, operation of mechanized road sweeping machines on roads.

As per the norms, mechanized road sweeping machines should be deployed as per the road width for effectiveness of dust control efforts. Roads in NCR vary widely in right of way (ROW).

An ROW-appropriate deployment strategy of MRSM is essential to effectively remove visible dust on roads. It should be equipped with an effective particulate matter dustfiltration system to prevent re-entry of PM during cleaning operations. The new fleet for cleaning operations should include only CNG fueled or electric version MRSMs.

The machines should be capable of working for at least 8 hours on a shift basis for the convenience of the public.