Dust Chokes Gurgaon: NGT Slams Haryana Govt

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Haryana government and relevant authorities concerning the severe air pollution crisis in Gurgaon. An applicant highlighted that road dust is the biggest contributor to PM10 pollution, with no effective steps taken to mitigate it. The tribunal acknowledged the applicant's concerns about the worsening air quality driven by road and construction dust.

Official records indicate a significant portion of Gurgaon's road network requires upgrades due to poor surface quality and high dust generation. Approximately 30% of the city's 2,400km road network, totaling over 700 km, is slated for improvements under a new dust control plan for 2026-27, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,971 crore. This ongoing issue underscores the inadequacy of current efforts to control airborne particulate matter.

Residents have voiced frustration over the authorities' inaction, stating that basic tasks like maintaining smooth roads and proper greening are overlooked, leading to a detrimental impact on air quality. The NGT's intervention comes after repeated reports highlighting Gurgaon's persistent road dust problem and the lack of sustained enforcement against it.