India, Sept. 29 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The 30th meeting of the Full Commission of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was held on 28.09.2026, under the Chairmanship of Shri Rajesh Verma, Chairperson, CAQM, during which the Commission approved modifications to the extant Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Schedule for the National Capital Region (NCR).
The revised GRAP Schedule includes the following changes:
The Commission also approved an amendment to Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11.06.2021 for strengthening web portal-based monitoring of dust control measures at Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites in NCR. The amendment extends the existing web-portal registration and monitoring mechanism to eligible C&D projects situated 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/ planning frameworks. The existing threshold of plot area equal to or greater than 500 square metres and other requirements under Direction Nos. 11-18 shall remain unchanged.
The Commission took note of Advisory No. 18 issued on 10.09.2026 regarding rescheduling of physical sports competitions scheduled during November-December. The Advisory reiterates that physical sports competitions scheduled in NCR during November-December should be appropriately rescheduled, keeping in view the air quality trends prevailing in the area, particularly in the interest of protecting the health of students.
The Commission took note of the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for appointment of two full-time Technical Members in CAQM for a period of three years or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. Two full-time Technical Members appointed are Shri Mukesh Sharma and Shri Trilok Singh Panwar.
The Commission was apprised of the updated status of Enforcement Task Force (ETF) decisions, inspections, closure and resumption of units. As on 17.09.2026, 1,831 violating units had been issued Closure Orders, out of which 1,479 cases had been considered for resumption post compliance and resumption orders issued accordingly. 126 cases had been transferred to SPCBs/ DPCC for further action where units were found unresponsive, permanently closed or shifted to other locations. During the period from 11.08.2026 to 17.09.2026, the ETF continued to examine cases involving non-compliance and applications for resumption of operations following corrective measures.
The Commission reviewed the progress of greening and plantation activities in Delhi- NCR against the targets fixed for 2026-27. Against the overall target of 4,60,54,740 plantations, covering trees, shrubs and bamboo, 4,13,68,929 plantations have been achieved as on 22.09.2026. Delhi has achieved 62,00,527 against its target of 58,01,386 plantations; Uttar Pradesh (NCR) has achieved 1,85,59,812 against the target of 1,71,44,900 plantations; Rajasthan (NCR) has achieved 1,16,13,092 plantations against the target of 1,07,09,754; while the achievement in Haryana (NCR) stood at 60,00,000 against a target of 1,20,00,000. The Commission emphasised continued follow-up and monitoring by the concerned authorities to achieve the stipulated targets and ensure survival of plantations.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
