CAQM revises GRAP: earlier dust and DG-set actions, BS-III/IV car curbs extended to Sonipat

The revised GRAP: what happened?

Every winter, air in Delhi-NCR turns bad. GRAP is the ready list of steps that kick in as air quality worsens. Before this winter, CAQM has shifted some steps to an earlier stage, so action starts sooner.

• The 30th Full Commission meeting of CAQM (28 Sep 2026) approved changes to the Graded Response Action Plan for NCR [PIB].
• Actions on DG sets and entry of BS-IV-and-below buses moved from Stage II to Stage I; curbs on BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel LMVs extended to Sonipat alongside Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar [PIB].

What is GRAP?

• GRAP is a stage-wise plan of emergency actions for the National Capital Region.
• Each stage is tied to a level of air quality; the worse the air, the higher the stage and the tougher the steps.
• The revised schedule has four stages: 25 actions in Stage I, 8 in Stage II, 10 in Stage III and 5 in Stage IV.

What changed in the revised schedule?

• Repeated dust, municipal solid waste and transport actions merged in Stage I.
• Actions on DG sets and entry of BS-IV-and-below buses from NCR and adjoining States moved from Stage II to Stage I.
• Minor relaxation in Stage III Action 1, including repair of potholes.
• Curbs on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers (LMVs) extended to Sonipat, besides Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
• Exemption removed for BS-IV-and-below goods vehicles carrying essential goods in Stages III and IV.
• Citizens Charter at each stage updated with more do’s and don’ts.

What do the numbers show?

Trees, shrubs and bamboo together.

How does GRAP work?

1. Air quality worsens in NCR
2. Stage I actions start (now incl. DG sets, old buses)
3. Stage II, III, IV added as air gets worse
4. Enforcement Task Force checks units
5. Closure orders; resumption after compliance

Why does the revised GRAP matter?

What are the challenges in the revised GRAP?

• Haryana (NCR) has met only about half its plantation target.
• 1,831 units got closure orders; 126 cases went to pollution boards as units were unresponsive or shut.
• Stage-based steps react to bad air rather than prevent it.

What should be done next on the revised GRAP?

• Keep plantation follow-up and check survival of saplings.
• Strict checks on old goods vehicles now that the exemption is gone.
• Reschedule school sports in November-December as CAQM advised.

What can Prelims ask on the revised GRAP?

• GRAP applies to NCR and is run by CAQM.
• Revised GRAP: 48 actions; Stage I has the most (25).
• Sonipat added to BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel car curbs.
• C&D portal threshold: plot of 500 sq m or more.
• Advisory No. 18 (10 Sep 2026): reschedule physical sports in November-December.

How to write about the revised GRAP in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Graded, stage-wise emergency measures cannot replace year-round action against air pollution in the National Capital Region. Discuss with reference to the revised GRAP.

• Intro: what GRAP is and the 2026 revision.
• Gains: earlier action on DG sets, buses; wider vehicle curbs.
• Limits: reactive design, uneven plantation, enforcement load.
• Way forward: sources-based round-the-year plan.

What should UPPCS aspirants note?

• Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar in UP are covered by the vehicle curbs; UP (NCR) has beaten its plantation target.