Gurgaon: MCG has asked National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take responsibility for maintaining Delhi-Jaipur Highway, including regular cleaning, upkeep of greenery and prevention of illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste along the stretch. The move comes amid concerns over road dust and poor maintenance adding to the city’s pollution burden.The civic body has also directed other govt departments to maintain roads under their jurisdictions, ensure regular cleaning, remove garbage and C&D waste, and carry out timely repairs.Chairing an inter-departmental pollution-control review meeting on Monday, MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya asked officials from NHAI, GMDA, PWD, HSIIDC and the traffic police to intensify efforts to tackle road-related pollution. He emphasised that every agency must take responsibility for the roads and infrastructure under its control.The meeting stressed that NHAI was responsible for maintaining cleanliness, greenery and infrastructure along national highways and expressways, and asked the authority to monitor the stretch regularly. Dahiya asked officials to initiate FIRs and legal action against individuals and private agencies found illegally dumping C&D waste along the highway.An NHAI official said, “We will extend all necessary assistance to MCG in enforcing cleanliness and dust mitigation measures along Delhi-Gurgaon Highway. We will also support the civic body in identifying violators, taking action against them and imposing fines for non-compliance.”An MCG official present at the meeting told TOI, “MCG will continue sweeping roads irrespective of the govt agencies they belong to. However, these agencies will have to step up enforcement, particularly against illegal dumping of C&D waste. We will continue lifting garbage and C&D waste from roads, but the agencies must also take responsibility for the assets under their control.”During the meeting, HSIIDC was asked to undertake road repairs and improvement work in Udyog Vihar.A GMDA official said unpaved stretches along Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) were being converted into additional carriageways to reduce dust generation. Potholes were being repaired, footpaths restored and greenbelts developed. Soil and silt along road edges, construction material and debris from greenbelts were also being removed, while damaged kerbs were being repaired. “GMDA is identifying other dust-generating locations for remedial work,” the official added.The meeting also emphasised that road sweeping alone would not be sufficient to tackle pollution. Departments were asked to ensure end-to-end paving of roads to prevent loose soil from accumulating along edges, besides regular lifting and disposal of garbage and C&D waste.“Accumulated dust and soil on roads can contribute significantly to air pollution. I have asked govt departments to coordinate to ensure regular cleaning and monitoring to keep roads free of dust, C&D waste and garbage,” Dahiya said.The traffic police were asked to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent unnecessary congestion. Departments were also directed to maintain greenbelts, improve roadside greenery and repair footpaths.
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