New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas held its 30th Full Commission meeting on September 28 under the chairpersonship of Shri Rajesh Verma, during which key amendments to the Graded Response Action Plan and various environmental management strategies were approved.
The revised Graded Response Action Plan Schedule now features a streamlined total of 48 actions across its four stages, consisting of 25 actions in Stage-I, 8 in Stage-II, 10 in Stage-III, and 5 in Stage-IV. Important modifications include the integration of repeated dust, municipal solid waste management, and transport measures into Stage-I, alongside shifting regulations on diesel generator sets and the entry of older buses from Stage-II to Stage-I.
Under Stage-III, the revised framework introduces minor relaxations such as allowing pothole repairs, extends vehicle restrictions for certain petrol and diesel light motor vehicles to Sonipat alongside existing districts, and removes exemptions for essential commodity transport vehicles under Stage-III and Stage-IV. Clear restrictions on diesel-operated light and medium goods vehicles registered outside Delhi have also been incorporated into Stage-III guidelines, alongside updated citizens charters for each stage.
In addition to the Graded Response Action Plan revisions, the Commission amended directions to strengthen web portal-based monitoring of dust control measures at construction and demolition sites. This monitoring mechanism now extends to eligible projects beyond municipal limits within designated urban, controlled, development, and industrial zones, maintaining the existing plot area threshold of 500 square metres and above.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing greening and plantation initiatives for the 2026-27 period. Against an overall target of over 4.60 crore plantations across the National Capital Region, authorities have achieved more than 4.13 crore saplings as of September 22. While Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have exceeded their individual targets, the Commission emphasized continued monitoring to fulfill targets in remaining areas and ensure the long-term survival of the planted trees, shrubs, and bamboo.
Furthermore, the Commission took note of recent administrative appointments, welcoming Shri Mukesh Sharma and Shri Trilok Singh Panwar as full-time Technical Members following approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The Enforcement Task Force’s monitoring progress was also evaluated, noting that out of 1,831 violating units issued closure orders up to September 17, resumption orders had been issued for 1,479 compliant cases.