New Delhi: In a move that might just make Mother Nature sigh in relief (and Delhiites breathe a little easier), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to go full eco-warrior — issuing a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to tackle air pollution along highways in Delhi-NCR. The message is clear: roads must shine, not smog.
The freshly rolled-out SOP covers both completed and under-construction highway stretches, turning every NHAI field office into a frontline dust-fighting unit. The plan includes everything short of giving each pothole its own air purifier — from mechanized sweeping machines and lush green medians (with Miyawaki forests popping up faster than new Instagram reels) to mandatory tarpaulin-covered material transport.
From Bulldozers to Blossoms: Green is the New Grey
Construction sites, traditionally known for their “earthy” ambience, are now being rebranded as eco-zones. Anti-smog guns will stand ready like water cannons of cleanliness, while green nets will keep the dust from staging its daily dance. NHAI has even ordered continuous water sprinkling — a polite way of telling the construction dust to go take a bath.
Regular air quality monitoring will ensure that both contractors and commuters can tell the difference between fog and PM2.5. Meanwhile, guidelines from the CAQM and Pollution Control Boards are being folded neatly into everyday highway operations, making sure Delhi-NCR’s infrastructure boom doesn’t come with a side of cough syrup.
Accountability, Not Just Asphalt
The SOP clearly assigns responsibility across the chain — from field officers and Authority Engineers to contractors and concessionaires — to ensure compliance through regular audits. Training programs and complaint redressal via the ‘Green Delhi App’ add a modern twist to the effort, because who said environmental management can’t be tech-savvy?
At a recent review meeting chaired by Alok Deepankar, Member (Technical), NHAI, contractors were instructed to deploy manpower, machinery, and resources “on a war footing.” In other words, Delhi’s air pollution just got a formidable new enemy — and it’s wearing a high-visibility vest.
Cleaner Roads, Clearer Skies, Happier Lungs
NHAI’s latest SOP isn’t just another document destined for dusty drawers — it’s a promise to make highways in Delhi-NCR cleaner, greener, and genuinely breathable. The initiative symbolizes a broader shift: India’s infrastructure growth now aims to coexist with environmental consciousness.
Because while speed is good, so is clean air — and NHAI just decided you can have both on the same road.
