CAQM widens GRAP curbs, extends BS-III, BS-IV vehicle limits to Sonipat

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has modified the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) framework. Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will now extend to Sonipat in Haryana under GRAP-3.

Until now the restriction applied only to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

The changes were approved at the 30th meeting of the full commission on Monday and announced on Tuesday. The framework was last altered in November 2025.

Under GRAP-1, no inter-city or inter-state bus from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan or adjoining states will be allowed to enter Delhi-NCR. Only electric, CNG and BS-VI diesel buses are exempt. The measure earlier applied under GRAP-2.

The exemption for BS-IV and older goods vehicles carrying essential commodities under GRAP-3 and GRAP-4 has been withdrawn. The commission also amended directions 11 to 18, issued in 2021, on construction and demolition activity.

Those directions now cover urban areas, controlled areas, development areas, industrial areas and highway corridor zones in the NCR states. They require registration of construction and demolition projects with a plot area of 500 square metres or more.

GRAP is a set of emergency measures triggered by air quality thresholds. GRAP-1 applies when the AQI is between 201 and 300, GRAP-2 between 301 and 400, GRAP-3 between 401 and 500, and GRAP-4 above 450.

(With inputs from PTI)