CAQM: Revises pollution-response schedule, retains four stages

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued a revised pollution-response schedule for the National Capital Region on 29 September 2026, retaining four stages of restrictions linked to Delhi’s air quality. Direction No. 104 made the revised framework effective immediately, but specified that measures under each stage apply when that stage is invoked through a separate order.^[1]

The distinction matters for Delhi, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad: issuing the schedule is not the same as activating every restriction listed in it. The direction requires governments, pollution-control bodies, local authorities and other agencies to enforce the measures applicable to the stages invoked, within their respective jurisdictions.^[1]

The Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, sets out preventive and restrictive measures for worsening air quality. The commission issued the revision under Section 12 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. The direction describes that provision as empowering the commission to take measures and issue directions to protect and improve regional air quality.^[1]

Delhi’s AQI and forecasts guide stage decisions

The revised schedule classifies the response using Delhi’s Air Quality Index, or AQI: Stage I covers “Poor” air at 201-300; Stage II covers “Very Poor” air at 301-400; Stage III covers “Severe” air at 401-450; and Stage IV covers “Severe +” air above 450. These are the thresholds specified for the NCR response framework, rather than separate activation thresholds for each NCR city.^[2]

The schedule does not require authorities to wait for Delhi’s AQI to reach a threshold before acting. It provides for advance invocation using model and weather forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, where the projected higher AQI levels are likely to persist.^[2]

It also addresses an unexpected breach. If extreme weather conditions or an episodic event push AQI across a threshold despite the forecast, the corresponding stage must be invoked immediately for measures that can take effect at once.^[2]

Restrictions accumulate as the response escalates. The schedule specifies that Stage III measures, for example, operate in addition to those under Stages I and II. A higher stage therefore adds to earlier controls rather than replacing them.^[2]

The commission’s GRAP sub-committee is responsible for meeting frequently, planning advance action and issuing invocation orders based on prevailing air quality and forecasts. It must also review implementation by the responsible agencies. The schedule allows the commission to make exceptions or add measures according to air quality and weather forecasts.^[2]

Stage I covers construction, waste and transport

Construction controls form part of the first stage. The schedule calls for covered storage and transport of construction and demolition materials and waste, water sprinkling, and compliance with requirements for anti-smog guns used to suppress dust.^[2]

It directs agencies not to permit construction and demolition activities at projects with plots of at least 500 square metres if they are not registered on the relevant state or Delhi web portal, or do not meet the other requirements of the cited dust-monitoring directions. This is a specified compliance restriction, not a blanket prohibition on all construction under Stage I.^[2]

Municipal and road agencies have separate duties. These include regular removal of municipal, construction, industrial and hazardous waste from designated sites; preventing illegal dumping on open land; and periodic mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling. Collected road dust must be disposed of at designated sites or landfills.^[2]

The first-stage schedule also requires enforcement against open burning of biomass and municipal waste, alongside vigilance against fires at landfill and dump sites. For road construction, widening and repairs, agencies must intensify dust-suppression measures.^[2]

Transport measures include deploying personnel at congested corridors and junctions, coordinating traffic movements, and enforcing Pollution Under Control certification requirements for vehicles. The schedule calls for action against visibly polluting vehicles through impounding, penalties or both.^[2]

Public transport is also part of the first-stage response. Governments and operators are directed to add capacity and increase the frequency of CNG and electric buses, metro services and the Regional Rapid Transit System. The schedule includes differential fares to encourage off-peak travel and asks governments to encourage shared employee commuting arrangements.^[2]

Industry checks and agency accountability

For industry, Stage I calls for intensified inspections, including in non-conforming areas, and enforcement against illegal or non-compliant units. It requires compliance with emission standards and approved-fuel requirements in industries, brick kilns and hot-mix plants. Power distribution companies are tasked with minimising supply interruptions, while diesel generators must not serve as a regular source of power.^[2]

The schedule assigns responsibilities across pollution-control boards, municipal bodies, district administrations, transport departments, traffic police and infrastructure agencies. Direction No. 104 also requires project proponents, industries, commercial establishments and other affected entities to comply with applicable measures once a stage is invoked.^[1]

Public communication has its own requirements. Environment departments and pollution-control bodies must issue information about pollution levels and control-room contacts. Municipal bodies and other implementing agencies must act quickly on complaints received through platforms including the Green Delhi and SAMEER apps.^[2]

The schedule’s citizen charter distinguishes between checking air quality and checking restrictions: it identifies SAMEER for AQI information and the CAQM website for the GRAP stage in force. The legal requirement remains the one stated in Direction No. 104: stage-specific measures become applicable through the relevant invocation orders.^[2][1]

References

1. Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. Direction No. 104: Revised Schedule of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for NCR. 29 September 2026.
2. Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR). Revision: 29 September 2026.