The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Uttar Pradesh government and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, for the implementation of a project aimed at paving and greening urban roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) areas of the state.
The agreement was signed at CSIR-CRRI in New Delhi for the project titled “Implementation of the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads (Uttar Pradesh State – NCR Region).”
According to an official statement, the initiative seeks to operationalise the Standard Framework and Detailed Guidance Document for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on January 7, 2025.
Speaking at the event, CSIR-CRRI Director Dr. Ch. Ravi Sekhar highlighted the institute’s commitment to developing scientific and sustainable solutions for reducing road dust pollution and improving urban road infrastructure. He emphasised the need for collaboration among research institutions, planning agencies and state governments to address air quality concerns in the NCR.
Director of SPA New Delhi, Prof. Virendra Kumar Paul, stressed the importance of integrated urban planning and sustainable road design in creating cleaner and healthier urban environments.
Dr. S.D. Atri, Member (Technical), CAQM, appreciated the efforts of CSIR-CRRI and SPA New Delhi in translating the commission’s guidelines into actionable projects for NCR states.
A technical overview of the project was presented by Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Scientist-G and Head of the Pavement Evaluation Division at CSIR-CRRI. The presentation outlined the implementation strategy, technical framework and expected outcomes of the initiative.
Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Lokesh M., IAS, expressed confidence that the project would contribute to reducing road dust emissions and improving urban road infrastructure across the state.
Under the project, CSIR-CRRI and SPA New Delhi will jointly undertake activities across four major areas. These include developing space standards and road cross-sections, implementing greening measures to mitigate road dust within the right-of-way, introducing Road Asset Management Systems (RAMS) to improve maintenance practices, and promoting innovative technologies for road construction.
The project forms part of broader efforts to implement the CAQM framework across NCR states and is expected to support cleaner urban environments through improved road design and maintenance practices.
According to the statement, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for scientifically planned road development and environmental management, contributing to cleaner, greener and more sustainable cities in Uttar Pradesh and the NCR region.
