Delhi officials and experts gathered on Friday to brainstorm ways to fight air pollution by building dust control right into road designs and upgrades. The focus? Turning regular streets into “Complete Streets” that help cut down on dust pollution in the city.
The Delhi government hosted a one-day workshop called “Breath of Change – Clean Air Dialogue,” along with awareness activities aimed at tackling dust through smarter road redevelopment. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted how this fits into the 24/7 year-round plan led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to battle dust pollution in Delhi.
“This event matters a lot for our ongoing strategy to combat dust pollution,” Sirsa said. He stressed the need to train officers on the ground, noting that great policies only work if people execute them well. “We’re talking nonstop with everyone—from government agencies and NGOs to experts, students, and everyday folks—because beating pollution takes teamwork,” he added.
Sirsa also shared that the Delhi government has earned praise from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its efforts, which boosts their commitment. “This workshop is just one of our science-backed steps to clean up Delhi’s air,” he explained. Beyond dust control, the Complete Streets approach targets issues like waste burning, vehicle emissions, and pushes for greener transport options.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) teamed up with the RaahGiri Foundation to run the event. More than 170 officers from 15 key agencies joined the training, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and others like DMRC, DJB, and PWD.
Trainees learned modern techniques for dust abatement in road design, covering everything from topographical surveys of intersections, open spaces, water bodies, and fixed features to contour checks, surface audits, and spotting big level differences. They also dove into utility surveys for water, sewerage, drainage, power, lighting, irrigation, and even CCTVs. Discussions highlighted vegetation surveys to spot native plants, biodiversity hotspots, and eco-sensitive zones, plus how to create detailed project reports (DPRs) using scientific standards and CAQM guidelines.
The CAQM Resource Lab took center stage, sharing top practices, standard symbols for design plans, and hands-on training for engineers and city leaders across the National Capital Region (NCR). Moving forward, the lab will help NCR cities build and copy sustainable road redevelopment models to slash dust pollution and boost overall air quality.
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