The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has instructed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to carry out a new inspection of dust-prone areas in Noida. The board must submit its findings by January 12. This directive follows a news report that highlighted a significant gap between the commission's initial survey results and the ground reality experienced by residents.
Initial Survey Findings Disputed by Locals
The CAQM's recent survey, conducted on Monday, examined 142 road stretches across the city. These included major routes like MP-1 from Rajnigandha Chowk to Sectors 12 and 22, MP-2 from Film City to Sector 60, and MP-3 from Kalindi Kunj to City Centre, along with numerous internal roads in the 7x sectors and along the Noida Expressway.
The official report stated that most locations showed low or no visible dust. It categorised only four roads with high dust levels and 24 with moderate dust. In contrast, 66 stretches were marked as low-dust and 48 as dust-free. Sources indicated that many of the inspected roads benefit from regular mechanical sweeping.
However, these findings were met with skepticism and strong reactions from Noida residents. They accused the inspection teams of missing the actual problem areas where dust pollution is severe.
Residents Point to Real Dust Hotspots
"I am amazed that the team could not find dust on Sector 142 road, whereas residents daily see dust mainly spread by trucks carrying construction material," said a resident of Sector 45. He urged officials to visit roads near Amrapali Sapphire in Sector 45 and near the Noida Authority's office in Sector 94.
Amit Gupta, a resident of Prateek Wisteria in Sector 77, took formal action. He wrote to the CAQM, stating that their findings seemed disconnected from reality. In his communication, he listed nearly 20 specific locations with high dust intensity.
"The Commission, in its reply, said that it directed the UPPCB Noida to inspect these locations and submit a report by Jan 12," Gupta confirmed. His list included spots like the Kendriya Vihar service road in Sector 51, areas opposite Cloudnine Hospital in Sector 51, near Homes 121, near Metro Station Sector 61, near Fortis Hospital cut in Sector 62, and Jalvayu Vihar in Sector 25.
Known Trouble Spots and Ongoing Issues
The earlier inspection drive, part of 'Operation Clean Air', had itself identified some problematic zones. It flagged higher dust levels in parts of Sector 122, largely attributed to ongoing construction activity in the surrounding areas. Excess dust was also observed under the newly opened Bhangel elevated road.
Another significant hotspot highlighted was the Yamuna Pushta road. Officials noted that this stretch is in poor condition and damaged at several points, contributing to the dust problem.
The fresh inspection ordered by the CAQM aims to bridge the credibility gap and address the specific concerns raised by citizens. The UPPCB's report, due on January 12, will be crucial in determining the next steps for dust control in one of the NCR's most polluted cities.
