CSIR-CRRI trains Delhi PWD engineers on CAQM standards for paving and greening of urban roads
Distilled Policy Brief
- CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) conducted a specialized training program for Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) engineers to implement the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) standard framework for paving and greening of urban roads.
- The initiative aims to systematically mitigate road dust—a primary contributor to particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR)—through scientific road design and environmental engineering.
- The training modules aligned with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines, focusing on standardizing urban road layouts, dedicated corridors for Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), and the seamless integration of utility infrastructure like drainage and telecom.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The statutory mandate, powers, and jurisdiction of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Evaluate the efficacy of integrating scientific road design, greening frameworks, and capacity building of state-level execution agencies in addressing the chronic challenge of urban air pollution.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the environmental engineering of urban roads to mitigate air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), consider the following statements: 1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) standard framework for paving and greening of urban roads specifically targets the mitigation of road dust to control PM10 and PM2.5 levels. 2. The design modules under this framework are aligned with the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines. 3. The framework requires the complete exclusion of utility infrastructures like drainage and telecom from the road layout to prioritize Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) corridors. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct as the CAQM standard framework aims to systematically mitigate road dust (a primary contributor to PM10 and PM2.5) through scientific road design aligned with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines. Statement 3 is incorrect because the framework focuses on the seamless integration of utility infrastructure (such as drainage and telecom) within the standardized urban road layouts, rather than excluding them.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.