Noida: With air quality getting worse across Delhi-NCR, road-widening work in Greater Noida has become a source of dust pollution. Large stretches between ATS and Amritpuram junctions, covering Sectors Gamma-1, Delta and Eta, have been left with exposed soil as construction continues. Residents complained that thick clouds of dust along major roads are worsening air quality and posing health risks.Residents reported thick clouds of dust along major routes, where ongoing construction activities are not only affecting air quality but also posing serious health risks to the community. They raised complaints about the lack of regular water sprinkling to mitigate dust and the failure of essential environmental safeguards like covering excavated soil, etc, in the area.The use of heavy machinery during the digging is damaging the roots of long-standing trees, many of which are now leaning precariously and could potentially fall during storms, they said.Amit Kumar Upadhyay, an industrialist in the Greater Noida area, urged GNIDA to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Upadhyay has called for a suspension of road-widening and construction activities that generate dust, especially considering the already critical AQI levels and the upcoming Diwali festival.“Why are these large-scale projects scheduled during Oct, Nov and Dec when air pollution peaks? Better planning is essential,” Upadhyay said, adding that accountability should extend to public infrastructure projects, just as it does for industries.Environmentalists in the area have also stressed the importance of protecting existing trees, which take years to mature. “Even more concerning is the use of heavy machinery, such as hydra cranes, during the digging process, which is causing severe damage to the roots of long-established trees,” said Ravi Aggarwal, an environmentalist.When asked, GNIDA officials said that the issues will be checked to ensure compliance with all necessary precautions.
Environmentalists complain about damage to the roots of existing trees, which take years to mature, during the digging works
