GRAP-III curbs revoked in Delhi-NCR
Just days after the revocation of Stage IV, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday revoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Announcing this in an order, the CAQM said the AQI of Delhi had improved to 332 on Thursday, following which the restrictions were being relaxed.
It also said the weather forecast indicated that the AQI was likely to remain in the 'moderate' to 'poor' category in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the 124th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was held on Wednesday to review the enforcement and inspection activities carried out across the National Capital Region (NCR) during the reporting period from 07.01.2026 to 19.01.2026, covering a total duration of 13 days.
During this period, flying squads of the Commission conducted extensive inspections across key air pollution sectors, including industries, Diesel Generator (DG) sets, Construction & Demolition (C&D) activities, road dust, and incidents related to biomass burning and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) accumulation/burning.
During the reporting period, flying squads of the commission conducted a total of 330 inspections across major air pollution-related sectors. Sector-wise, inspections were carried out at 241 industries, 22 Diesel Generator (DG) sets and 05 C&D sites.
Further, 62 road stretches were inspected by the Flying Squads for assessment of road dust and waste accumulation. Out of these inspections, a total of 90 violations were reported, comprising 66 violations in the industrial sector, 2 involving DG sets, 4 at C&D sites and 18 related to road dust.
Out of 330 inspections, enforcement actions, including closures, sealing of DG sets and issuance of show cause notices, were recommended in 72 cases.
The Commission also reviewed closure recommendations received from the inspection teams. It was noted that closure proposals related to 09 Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants have also been recommended.
Further, special inspection drives in 150 road stretches, covering 23 road stretches in Noida and 127 road stretches under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation Faridabad, were conducted on 08.01.2026 and 13.01.2026, respectively.
Out of these 150 road stretches, 20 stretches were found with high intensity of visible dust, 34 with moderate dust levels and 75 with low dust levels. For non-compliance of dust control measures, a notice was issued to the Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), on 13.01.2026, and Action Taken Reports (ATRs) have been received from 05 MCD zones.
The Flying Squads also carried out a special inspection drive in North Delhi on January 14 to check incidents of biomass and municipal solid waste (MSW) burning and dumping in areas under the jurisdiction of MCD.
During the inspection, 65 locations were inspected, wherein 47 incidents of biomass/MSW burning and 18 instances of MSW dumping were recorded. The inspection reports have been forwarded to the concerned agencies for detailed ATRs.
Further, as of 21.01.2026, a total of 25,232 units/projects/entities have been inspected, based on which 1,643 closure directions have been issued for violations.
Out of these, 1,261 resumption orders have been issued upon verification of compliance, while 108 cases have been transferred to the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/DPCC for final decision.
In respect of the remaining 274 entities, resumption orders are yet to be issued and are under examination in accordance with due process.
The Commission reiterated that active enforcement, strict compliance by stakeholders and coordinated action by all concerned agencies are vital for effective abatement of air pollution across the NCR.
