CAQM issues technical and operational norms for mechanized road sweeping machines in NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on 11 February 2026 issued technical and operational norms for deploying Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines to curb road dust across the National Capital Region.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued a circular on 11 February 2026 prescribing technical and operational norms for the deployment and use of Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs) by all road-owning and road-maintenance agencies in the National Capital Region. Road dust is a dominant contributor to PM10 and a significant contributor to PM2.5. The circular sets a Right of Way (RoW) based framework: large MRSMs (hopper over 4 m³, operating width over 3 m) for roads with RoW above 15 m; medium MRSMs (hopper 1–4 m³, width 1.5–3 m) for RoW of 10–15 m; and small MRSMs (hopper under 1 m³, width under 2 m) for RoW below 10 m. Machines should have integrated water spraying and particulate-matter filtration systems. CAQM was set up under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
Key facts
- Date
- 11 February 2026
- Issued by
- CAQM (circular to road-owning agencies in NCR)
- Large MRSM
- Hopper > 4 m³, width > 3 m, for RoW > 15 m
- Medium MRSM
- Hopper 1–4 m³, width 1.5–3 m, for RoW 10–15 m
- Small MRSM
- Hopper < 1 m³, width < 2 m, for RoW < 10 m
- Law
- CAQM Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under CAQM's norms of 11 February 2026, large-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines are prescribed for roads with a Right of Way of:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — More than 15 m
Large MRSMs (hopper over 4 m³, width over 3 m) are for roads with RoW above 15 m.
What hopper capacity does CAQM prescribe for medium-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines?
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Correct answer: B — Between 1 m³ and 4 m³
Medium MRSMs have hopper capacity of 1–4 m³ and operating width of 1.5–3 m, for roads with RoW of 10–15 m.
Consider the following about the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021: 1. It is deemed to have come into force on 13 April 2021. 2. 'Adjoining areas' under the Act means areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi and the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Act 29 of 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021, is deemed in force from 13 April 2021, and defines adjoining areas as parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.