CAQM Review of Dust Mitigation Measures in Gurugram

Syllabus: Pollution & Conservation

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Why in news?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted an extensive inspection of 125 road stretches in Gurugram to ensure compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

⚛️Static Concepts

Particulate Matter (PM2.5/PM10)National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)Smog

📌

Prelims-Oriented Points

CAQM is a statutory body established in 2021 for the NCR and adjoining areas.
Operation Clean Air: A dedicated enforcement drive for dust mitigation and prevention of open burning.
GRAP: The framework utilized by CAQM to handle varying levels of air pollution in the winter months.
Findings: 34 stretches showed high visible dust; deficiencies in mechanical sweeping and waste management were noted.

⚠️

Examiner's Trap: CAQM's directions supersede any directions issued by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in case of a conflict.

Quick Data Points

Total stretches inspected: 125

Stretches with high dust: 34

Mains Value Addition

GS-3: Environmental Pollution & Degradation (Air Pollution), and Urban Governance.

Enforcement Gaps: Highlights the disconnect between statutory directions (GRAP) and ground-level execution by municipal bodies.
Multi-pronged approach: Need for combining mechanical solutions (sweeping) with behavioral changes (preventing open burning).

🔍

Strategy Deep Dive