MCD to fix 1,000 km of damaged roads to curb dust pollution

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has received approval under the Chief Minister Development Fund to repair nearly 1,000 kilometres of roads across the city over the next year, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The move follows a large-scale assessment of road conditions conducted by the civic body amid repeated complaints over deteriorating roads and rising dust pollution. Officials said the exercise was triggered after concerns were raised by Ministers and the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), which linked damaged roads to increased dust emissions.

“We assessed over 1,500 kilometres of roads over the past few months following several complaints about poor roads and dust pollution. Based on this assessment, a proposal to repair 1,000 kilometres of roads was prepared and sent to the Urban Development Department of the Delhi government for approval and budgetary sanction,” a senior MCD official said. All roads in Delhi that are 60 feet wide or less fall under the MCD’s jurisdiction, covering a network of nearly 12,700 kilometres. Officials said the repair work will prioritise smaller roads that generate higher levels of dust.