The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has charted an ambitious roadmap to tackle one of the capital's perennial environmental woes: dust pollution. In a significant move aligned with the city's anti-smog strategy, the civic body plans to repair and reconstruct between 1,000 to 1,500 roads under its jurisdiction by the financial year 2026-27.
A Rs 2,000 Crore Blueprint Against Dust
The comprehensive plan, recently submitted to the government, carries an estimated price tag of Rs 2,000 crore. This initiative directly targets dilapidated road stretches, identified as major aggravators of dust pollution, which is a key contributor to Delhi's dangerous PM 2.5 levels. The MCD's proposal underscores that the South Zone and several zones in Outer Delhi, particularly Narela and Najafgarh, require the maximum repairs.
Out of the total 6,127.78 kilometres of narrow roads (with a right of way less than 18 metres) managed by the MCD, a substantial 1,503 km have been earmarked for reconstruction. This means nearly 24.5% of MCD's narrow road network is set for an overhaul, as per the framework laid down by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Why Roads Are Central to Delhi's Pollution Puzzle
The focus on road dust is backed by years of scientific research. A landmark 2008 study by the CPCB and NEERI flagged road dust as the biggest contributor, accounting for 52.5% of particulate matter in Delhi's air. Subsequent studies by SAFAR and IIT Kanpur (2015) reinforced this finding, consistently listing dust among the top four sources of PM 2.5 pollution, alongside vehicles, domestic fuel burning, and industrial emissions.
Officials explain that broken and uneven road surfaces continuously generate fine dust particles, which become airborne and significantly degrade air quality, posing severe health risks to residents.
Funding, Phasing, and Execution Strategy
This year, the road assessment was revised twice, refining the list of stretches in need. An earlier proposal for repairing 591 km of roads with a budget of Rs 755 crore, submitted to the CAQM, failed to secure funding. Learning from that, the MCD has now diversified its funding strategy. Funds will be procured under schemes like the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan, CM Development Fund, Delhi Village Development Board, and MLA Funds.
The reconstruction plan is not limited to just road surfaces. It encompasses the improvement of drainage systems in authorized colonies such as RK Puram and Greater Kailash II, as well as in urban villages, rural villages, and resettlement colonies. The work will involve dense bituminous carpeting and relaying of ready-mix concrete. Officials note that while a dense-carpeted road has a lifespan of about five years, it requires regular maintenance.
The execution will be phased quarterly throughout the year. The plan targets 300 km of road length in the first quarter, followed by another 300 km, 150 km, and 250 km in the subsequent quarters, respectively.
With this large-scale infrastructural push, the MCD aims to deliver smoother commutes while simultaneously taking a concrete bite out of Delhi's toxic air, marking a critical step in the city's long-term environmental management.
