New Delhi, September 30: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi NCR ahead of the winter pollution season, strengthening measures related to construction, dust control and vehicle restrictions.
The revised plan issued on September 28, includes changes to several existing provisions and expands the citizen’s charter with additional measures aimed at controlling pollution during the winter months.
Under the updated schedule restrictions concerning diesel generator sets and inter city buses operating in Delhi have been moved from Stage II to Stage I, allowing these measures to be introduced at an earlier stage of worsening air quality.
Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles under Stage III have also been expanded to include Haryana’s Sonipat district and border areas of Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
CAQM member S.D. Attri said several repeated measures had been shifted to earlier stages, particularly those concerning construction and transportation. The number of actions listed under the citizen’s charter has also been increased from 22 to 34.
The commission has additionally expanded monitoring requirements for construction and demolition activities. Under the revised directions, large construction projects located outside municipal limits, including those in controlled areas, industrial zones development areas and highway corridors, will also have to register on designated pollution control portals and follow monitoring requirements.
Previously, these rules applied mainly to construction and demolition projects covering 500 square metres or more within urban local body or municipal areas. Such projects are required to register and install cameras for video based monitoring.
The commission said construction activity has expanded beyond municipal boundaries into industrial areas, highways and development zones, prompting the broader coverage.
The GRAP revision comes as Delhi NCR prepares for the winter period, when stagnant atmospheric conditions can contribute to a sharp deterioration in air quality.
The Delhi government and the Union Environment Ministry have separately discussed measures for the upcoming pollution season, including restrictions on construction activities work from home arrangements for government employees and curbs on polluting vehicles.
CAQM clarified that state governments can introduce additional pollution control measures independently of GRAP. The revised framework will continue to be implemented across Delhi NCR based on the prevailing air quality conditions.