CAQM approves revised GRAP schedule for NCR: DG set and bus curbs move to Stage I, essential-goods exemption for BS-IV goods vehicles removed
The Commission for Air Quality Management approved modifications to the GRAP Schedule for the NCR at its 30th Full Commission meeting on 28 September 2026. Actions on DG sets and BS-IV and below buses move from Stage II to Stage I, Sonipat is added to the districts with LMV restrictions, and web-portal dust monitoring is extended to C&D projects beyond municipal limits.
Key facts
- In force
- Approved by CAQM on 28 September 2026; date of effect not stated in the release
- Who it affects
- Transporters and fleet owners in Delhi-NCR, bus operators, establishments using DG sets, builders and contractors with C&D sites of 500 sq m or more, industrial units, vehicle owners in Sonipat
- What it is
- Rule change
- Section
- Licences
- Published
- 29 September 2026
In 30 seconds
- Approved at the 30th meeting of the Full Commission of CAQM on 28 September 2026.
- Actions on DG sets and on entry of buses (BS-IV and below) from NCR and adjoining States move from Stage II to Stage I.
- Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below-standard LMVs (4-wheelers) are extended to Sonipat, in addition to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
- The exemption for BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities is removed in Stages III and IV.
- The revised schedule has 48 actions: 25 in Stage I, 8 in Stage II, 10 in Stage III and 5 in Stage IV.
- Web-portal registration and monitoring of dust control is extended to eligible C&D projects beyond municipal limits; the 500 square metre threshold is unchanged.
हिंदी में सार
CAQM ने 28 सितंबर 2026 की बैठक में दिल्ली-NCR के लिए संशोधित GRAP शेड्यूल मंज़ूर किया है, जिसमें अब कुल 48 कार्रवाइयाँ हैं। DG सेट और BS-IV व उससे पुराने बसों से जुड़ी पाबंदियाँ Stage II से Stage I में आ गई हैं, और ज़रूरी सामान ले जाने वाले BS-IV व पुराने माल वाहनों की छूट Stage III और IV में हटा दी गई है। पुरानी कारों पर पाबंदी अब सोनीपत में भी लागू होगी; नगर सीमा के बाहर 500 वर्ग मीटर या उससे बड़े निर्माण स्थलों को भी dust पोर्टल पर पंजीकरण कराना होगा।
What CAQM has approved
According to a release of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change dated 29 September 2026, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), at the 30th meeting of the Full Commission on 28 September 2026, approved modifications to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Schedule for the NCR. The release does not state the date from which the revised schedule applies.
Changes in the GRAP schedule
| Subject | Change |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Repeated actions on dust measures, MSW management and transport are merged |
| DG sets; buses (BS-IV and below) from NCR and adjoining States | The related actions move from Stage II to Stage I |
| Stage III, Action No. 1 | Minor relaxation allowed, including repairing of potholes |
| BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below-standard LMVs (4-wheelers) | Restrictions on plying extended to Sonipat, in addition to the existing HVD districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar |
| BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities | Exemption removed — for LGVs and MGVs in Stage III and for trucks/HGVs in Stage IV |
| Diesel BS-IV and below-standard LGVs and MGVs registered outside Delhi | Restriction on their entry into Delhi is now clearly mentioned under Stage III |
| Citizens Charter | Modified under each stage, with additional Do’s and Don’ts |
The revised schedule now has 48 actions: 25 in Stage I, 8 in Stage II, 10 in Stage III and 5 in Stage IV.
Dust control at construction sites
The Commission also approved an amendment to Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11 June 2021 on web portal-based monitoring of dust control measures at Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites in the NCR. The existing web-portal registration and monitoring mechanism is extended to eligible C&D projects beyond municipal limits — in urban areas, controlled areas, development areas/industrial development areas, industrial areas/zones and highway corridor zones, as applicable under the respective statutory or planning frameworks.
The existing threshold of a plot area equal to or greater than 500 square metres, and the other requirements under those Directions, remain unchanged.
Other matters noted
- Advisory No. 18 of 10 September 2026 reiterates that physical sports competitions scheduled in the NCR during November–December should be appropriately rescheduled.
- As on 17 September 2026, closure orders had been issued to 1,831 violating units; 1,479 cases had been considered for resumption after compliance, and 126 cases were transferred to the SPCBs/DPCC.
What businesses in the NCR should do
Establishments that run DG sets and operators of BS-IV and below buses entering from NCR and adjoining States should note that the related actions now sit in Stage I. Transporters of essential commodities using BS-IV or older goods vehicles can no longer rely on the earlier exemption in Stages III and IV. Developers and contractors with C&D projects on plots of 500 square metres or more outside municipal limits, in the areas listed above, should register on the dust-monitoring web portal. The text of the revised schedule has to be read for the exact wording of each action.
Questions and answers
What has changed in GRAP for DG sets and buses?
The actions related to DG sets and to entry of buses (BS-IV and below) from NCR and adjoining States have been moved from Stage II to Stage I of the GRAP schedule.
Are goods vehicles carrying essential commodities still exempt?
The release says the exemption for BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities has been removed — for LGVs and MGVs in Stage III and for trucks/HGVs in Stage IV.
Which district has been added for restrictions on older cars?
Sonipat. Restrictions on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below-standard LMVs (4-wheelers) now extend to Sonipat in addition to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
Which construction sites must register on the dust-control web portal?
The mechanism under Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11 June 2021 is extended to eligible C&D projects beyond municipal limits in urban areas, controlled areas, development or industrial development areas, industrial areas or zones and highway corridor zones. The threshold of a plot area of 500 square metres or more is unchanged.
How many actions does the revised GRAP schedule have?
Forty-eight: 25 in Stage I, 8 in Stage II, 10 in Stage III and 5 in Stage IV.
Published 29 September 2026. Updated 7 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.