New Delhi, October 22 (H.S.): The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified measures to control air pollution along national highways and expressways across Delhi-NCR ahead of the winter season.

According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI has deployed substantial resources to curb pollution and minimise dust emissions. These include approximately 60 water sprinklers and tankers, 14 anti-smog guns, 23 mechanical road-sweeping machines (MRS machines), two tractor-mounted sweepers and more than 900 workers. In addition, 13 mechanical road-sweeping machines are operating continuously along a 157-kilometre stretch of national highways in the Delhi-NCR region.

NHAI Technical Member Alok Dipankar reviewed the pollution-control measures and issued strict instructions to field teams. He directed them to ensure the efficient deployment of equipment and manpower, regular water sprinkling, continuous operation of anti-smog guns and daily mechanical road sweeping.

He also emphasised strict compliance with the regulations prescribed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). These measures include completely covering construction materials, maintaining dust-free roads and taking prompt action in accordance with the applicable stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). NHAI officials have been instructed to monitor daily operations and submit progress reports accompanied by geo-tagged photographs.

As part of its environmental initiatives, NHAI planted approximately 9.80 lakh saplings across the National Capital Region during the 2025–26 financial year, surpassing its target of 9.52 lakh saplings. More than 90 per cent of the saplings have survived.

In another initiative aimed at promoting the sustainable utilisation of waste, approximately 13.58 lakh tonnes of inert material from Delhi’s landfill sites have been used in the construction of embankments along the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) and the Delhi–Noida Direct (DND)–Sohna corridor.

The review meeting also examined progress on key decongestion projects intended to reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions across Delhi-NCR. These include UER-II, the Dwarka Expressway, the DND–Sohna Expressway and the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway.

Particular emphasis was placed on expediting the implementation of proposed decongestion projects and ensuring the prompt resolution of public complaints received through the Green Delhi app and social media platforms.

NHAI reiterated its commitment to reducing dust pollution during the winter months, improving air quality and ensuring smoother, uninterrupted traffic movement on roads across Delhi-NCR.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar