CAQM Flags 29 Violations in Sonipat Sweep as NCR Toughens GRAP Triggers

The regulator lowered the threshold for stricter GRAP Stage III actions to accelerate source-level emission cuts during worsening winter pollution.

Overview

Twenty flying squad teams inspected 101 sites in Sonipat on November 21, including six construction and demolition locations.
Officials reported 29 violations across the checks, with five involving construction and demolition sites.
Non-conforming areas saw 55 inspections with 21 violations, while conforming industrial zones had 46 inspections with eight violations.
Common breaches included use of unapproved fuels, missing or faulty air pollution control devices with about 20 units malfunctioning, and operations without valid Consent to Operate.
The drive formed part of CAQM’s intensified GRAP-period enforcement, and the revised framework moves some Stage IV measures into Stage III with states and the Centre to decide on phased office attendance.