Manjinder Singh Sirsa Sets 72-Hour Deadline for NCR Pothole Repairs to Tackle Pollution
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announces strict pollution control measures for NCR.
The Centre has issued strict, time-bound directives to all cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) to tackle rising pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Wednesday. The measures include dust mitigation, emergency pothole repairs, and action against agencies responsible for construction debris and road obstructions.
The Union Environment Ministry held a meeting with officials from northern states on Tuesday to finalise these pollution-control measures. Sirsa said that Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, and Greater Noida have been instructed to achieve 100 per cent dust-control compliance using water sprinklers and anti-smog machines on all major roads.
Ghaziabad has reportedly removed legacy waste and developed a green belt on reclaimed land, while Noida and Greater Noida are working to complete similar measures. The Centre has also mandated that all potholes across NCR be repaired within 72 hours, with long-term solutions for chronic dust-prone stretches to be implemented within six months.
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Strict action will be taken against government or private agencies found responsible for debris or construction waste on roads. Sirsa emphasised that no agency will be spared and FIRs will be registered if road-cutting occurs without prior permission. Emergency repairs on road-cutting stretches can be executed immediately, bypassing new tender approvals.
Approximately 1,400 kilometres of priority roads will undergo pothole repair, while dust mitigation measures will be enforced at all construction and demolition sites. In Delhi alone, nearly 8,000 kilometres of Municipal Corporation roads will be made dust-free through regular sweeping, mist-spray systems, and enhanced green-room enforcement powers.
Additional measures include stricter checks on BS-IV and older vehicles, improved last-mile connectivity to reduce vehicular emissions, and regular washing of Public Works Department roads. Sirsa highlighted that these efforts aim to create a cleaner, safer environment and curb rising pollution levels across the NCR region.
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