The Commission for Air Quality Management has approved a revised Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi-NCR, with preventive curbs in force from October 1 under the winter action framework.

At its September 28 meeting, CAQM approved changes to GRAP, which now carries 48 actions: 25 in Stage I, 8 in Stage II, 10 in Stage III and 5 in Stage IV. Stage I activates when the Air Quality Index hits 201 to 300.

Several curbs now bite earlier. Rules on diesel generator sets and older buses entering the NCR move from Stage II to Stage I. Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars extend to Sonipat, joining Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Construction oversight is tighter. Sites over 500 square metres must register on state portals, run anti-smog guns, cover material and enforce wheel-washing. The monitoring web portal now covers eligible projects outside municipal limits.

CAQM has also advised rescheduling outdoor sports events in the NCR during November and December when air quality is poor. Stage I alone does not trigger school closures; those need fresh government orders.