The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued 28 challans to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for failing to comply with dust-control norms along Mehrauli–Badarpur (MB) Road. The MB Road is a high-traffic stretch already under pressure from poor air quality.
The penalties total Rs 3.8 lakh under National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, along with four challans for violations of solid waste management rules. MCD officials said repeated inspections revealed uncovered construction material, inadequate dust suppression and poor barricading at DMRC’s Phase-IV construction sites.
Senior officers said the lapses were recorded during routine checks this week on MB Road, where metro work is underway in the median. “These violations were found at a time when the pollution load is high. Agencies must follow GRAP norms strictly,” an MCD official said. The corporation added that MB Road remains one of the busiest corridors, and even minor lapses can raise dust levels for thousands of commuters.
Responding to the challans, DMRC said that only 6.58 km of MB Road falls under its construction jurisdiction for the Aerocity–Tughlakabad Corridor (Line-10), and that work is confined to the barricaded median. It said most of the debris seen in MCD photographs does not belong to DMRC. “Local residents and passersby dump debris on the roadside regularly, and these are not removed on time by civic agencies. Photographs attached with the challans show most of this debris is roadside debris, which does not belong to DMRC,” the agency said. It added that it removes the roadside debris “periodically” despite not being responsible for it.
DMRC further said it continues to follow mandatory GRAP and NGT dust-mitigation measures. In its statement, it listed actions taken on site: regular water sprinkling with tankers and mist guns, installation of an anti-smog gun at the station site, toe-dust cleaning along barricades, covering of construction material with tarpaulin, and disposal of C&D waste to authorised plants. “Observations have been noted for further improvement,” it said.
However, MCD officials said the challans were issued only after repeated warnings. Officers said DMRC failed to ensure proper housekeeping, dust suppression and barricading on the stretches inspected. They said that inadequate cover for loose material and a lack of on-site cleaning contributed to dust dispersion. “We cannot allow even large agencies to bypass rules during this pollution period,” a senior official said.
The South Zone issued most of the challans, though similar violations were found in the Central Zone.
Officials said the absence of proper barricades at some locations allowed dust to spread to vehicular lanes. They added that roadside debris, regardless of who dumped it, adds to dust levels and must be cleared promptly.
The four challans issued under the solid waste management (SWM) rules were linked to debris lying unattended. MCD said the debris blocked pedestrian space and increased the dust load. The civic body has asked DMRC to ensure immediate clearance.
The enforcement push comes as Delhi enters another phase of deteriorating air quality. GRAP restrictions are in force across the city, and agencies are required to follow stricter norms during winter. Construction dust remains one of the major contributors to PM2.5 levels, prompting closer monitoring of all public and private project sites.
MCD said inspections on MB Road will continue daily. Officers said Government agencies are not exempt from environmental compliance. “More penalties may follow if violations persist,” the corporation said. With the winter pollution season far from over, MCD said its priority is to safeguard public health and establish stronger benchmarks for construction sites in high-traffic zones.