The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday invoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect after Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 208, falling in the ‘Poor’ category.

The decision was taken by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP following a review of the current air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR and forecasts by IMD/IITM indicating that air quality is likely to remain in the ‘Poor’ category in the coming days.

The Sub-Committee noted that Delhi’s AQI has shown an increasing trend and recorded 208 (‘Poor’ Category) on 19.05.2026, as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Accordingly, the Sub-Committee decided to invoke all actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP with immediate effect across the entire NCR. The 31-point action plan includes measures to be implemented and ensured by various agencies, including Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). These steps are:

 

1. Ensure proper implementation of Directions/ Rules/ guidelines on dust mitigation measures in Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities and sound environmental management of C&D waste.

2. Ensure strict compliance of Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11.06.2021 and do not permit C&D activities in respect of such projects with plot size equal to or more than 500 sqm which are not registered on the ‘web portal’ of the respective state / GNCTD and / or which do not fulfil the other requirements as per the above noted statutory directions, for remote monitoring of dust mitigation measures.

3. Ensure regular lifting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, and Hazardous wastes from dedicated dump sites and ensure that no waste is dumped illegally in open land areas.

4. Carry out periodic mechanized sweeping and water sprinkling on roads and ensure scientific disposal of the dust collected in designated sites/ landfills.

5. Ensure that C&D materials & waste are properly stored/ contained, duly covered in the premises. Ensure transportation of C&D materials and C&D waste only through covered vehicles.

6. Strictly enforce the Statutory directions and yardsticks for use of anti-smog guns at C&D sites, in proportion to the total built-up area of the project under construction.

7. Intensify use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust suppression measures in road construction / widening / repair projects and maintenance activities.

8. Stringently enforce prohibition on open burning of bio-mass and municipal solid waste. Impose maximum EC upon violations in accordance with Hon’ble NGT’s orders dated 04.12.2014 and 28.04.2015 in OA 21/2014.

9. Strict vigil to ensure that there are no burning incidents in the landfill sites/ dumpsites.

10. Deploy traffic police for smooth traffic flow at all identified corridors with heavy traffic and congestion prone intersections.

11. Strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles.

12. No tolerance for visible emissions – Stop visibly polluting vehicles by impounding and/ or levying maximum penalty.

13. Strictly enforce the Hon’ble Supreme Court order on diversion of non- destined truck traffic for Delhi, through Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.

14. Strictly enforce NGT / Hon’ble SC’s order on overaged diesel / petrol vehicles and as per extant statutes.

15. Ensure strict penal/ legal action against non‑compliant and illegal industrial units.

16. Stringently enforce all pollution control regulations in Industries, brick kilns and hot mix plants etc. - strict compliance of the prescribed standards of emissions.

17. Ensure that only approved fuels are used by the industries in NCR including in brick kilns and hot mix plants and enforce closure in case of violations, if any.

18. Stringently enforce emission norms in thermal power plants and strict actions be taken against non-compliance

19. Strictly enforce Hon’ble Courts / Tribunal orders regarding ban on firecrackers.

20. Ensure regular lifting and proper disposal of industrial waste from industrial and non-development areas.

21. DISCOMS to minimise power supply interruptions in NCR.

22. Ensure that diesel generator sets are not used as regular source of power supply.

23. Strictly enforce the extant ban on coal / firewood as fuel in Tandoors in Hotels,

Restaurants and open eateries.

24. Ensure hotels, restaurants and open eateries use only electricity / gas-based / clean fuel - based appliances.

25. Information dissemination including through social media and bulk SMS etc. Mobile Apps to be used to inform people about the pollution levels, contact details of control room, enable them to report polluting activities / sources to the concerned authorities and inform them about actions that would be taken by Government.

26. Ensure quick actions for redressal of complaints on 311 APP, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App and other such social media platforms to curb polluting activities.

27. Encourage offices to start unified commute for employees to reduce traffic on road.

28. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power Generating sets/ equipment (DG sets etc.).

29. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections / traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.

30. Alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and Don’ts for minimizing polluting activities.

31. Augment public transport services through CNG/ electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service. Introduce differential rates to encourage off – peak travel.

Actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned across NCR to ensure that AQI levels do not deteriorate further. All implementing agencies have been directed to keep strict vigil and intensify measures under the extant GRAP schedule. Citizens have also been requested to strictly adhere to the Citizen Charter under GRAP Stage-I.

The Sub-Committee further urged citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementation of GRAP and follow the measures mentioned in the Citizen Charter under Stage-I of the extant GRAP, including:

• Keep engines of your vehicles properly tuned.

• Maintain proper tyre pressure in vehicles.

• Keep PUC certificates of your vehicles up to date.

• Do not idle your vehicle, also turn off the engine at red lights.

• Prefer hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution.

• Do not litter / dispose wastes, garbage in open spaces.

• Report air polluting activities through 311 App, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App etc.

• Plant more trees.

• Celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly manner - avoid firecrackers.

 

The Sub-Committee shall continue to keep a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decisions depending upon the air quality in Delhi and forecasts made by IMD/IITM.

The comprehensive schedule of the extant GRAP is available on the official website of the Commission at https://caqm.nic.in/.

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VM/GS

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