Dust mitigation in focus, Delhi to redevelop five key corridors

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Taranjit Singh Sandhu chaired a meeting on Tuesday to review the progress made so far in the redevelopment of these corridors through coordination between the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and the respective road-owning agencies.

Officials said the LG emphasised that the transformation should aim at making these heavily traffic-laden stretches totally free of road dust and the resultant ambient air pollution, as outlined by the air quality watchdog, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

“The LG also stressed that the exercise should succeed in bringing the people of the city close to these stretches of roads so as to instil ownership of these public assets in them. This, in turn, will ensure safety, security, and proper maintenance, apart from providing much-needed open recreational spaces,” an official said.

Explaining the concept of the model road, a senior official said the roads will be equipped with a fool-proof stormwater drainage system to ensure that no flooding takes place, which will consequently prevent silt from being left behind. With flooding brought under control, commuting and traffic flow during rains will be smoother, and the absence of silt will ensure there is no dust pollution.

Officials also said that the central verges along these stretches will be developed scientifically, with grass carpeting and a piped watering facility, thereby eliminating silt spillage caused when tankers are used for watering. “This, apart from achieving dust control, will also result in ending the traffic congestion caused due to the movement of slow-moving watering tankers,” \the official said.

In addition to these measures, the project also envisages the development of integrated pedestrian pathways with cycle tracks, interspersed with public utilities and resting shelters. Movable vendor spaces integrated with cultural and informal craft bazaars for a night-time economy, quality street lighting, short-duration parking, and security surveillance for the safety of women and children are also on the cards, officials said.

Further, officials added that the LG directed the SPA to come up with designs ensuring that pavements are laid with materials that are adequately porous to facilitate water seepage, yet strong enough to require minimal maintenance.