Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: AQI Tops 400 — GRAP-3 Measures, Health Advice & What To Expect
Parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded hazardous air-quality levels on Sunday, with several monitoring stations reporting Air Quality Index (AQI) readings above 400 — placing them in the ‘Severe’ category. Authorities are considering or preparing to activate GRAP-3 (Graded Response Action Plan Stage-3) emergency measures that can include vehicle restrictions, a ban on non-essential construction, and other curbs designed to quickly reduce emissions and public exposure.
- AQI: several areas reported readings > 400 (Severe).
- GRAP-3 could mean vehicle curbs, construction halt, and restrictions on certain industrial activities.
- Authorities have previously adjusted GRAP thresholds — Stage-3 triggers and Stage-4 thresholds were revised in recent rulings.
What the AQI readings mean (health implications)
An AQI above 400 is classified as Severe. Short-term exposure increases the risk of respiratory distress, aggravates heart and lung conditions, and is particularly dangerous for children, older adults and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses. Public-health advisories typically recommend staying indoors, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, and using N95/KN95 masks when venturing outside.
What is GRAP-3 and which measures can be triggered?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a tiered set of actions designed to reduce emissions quickly when air quality deteriorates. Stage-3 (commonly referred to as GRAP-3) involves stricter emergency steps than Stage-1 or Stage-2 and may include:
- Temporary restrictions on entry of high-emitting trucks / commercial vehicles and tighter checks on vehicle pollution certificates. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Ban on non-essential construction and demolition activity (including large linear public works in some cases).
- Work-from-home recommendations for offices and reduced staff strength for government/private offices (depending on local orders).
- Suspension or modification of outdoor events, stricter controls on burning of waste and stronger enforcement of dust-control measures at construction sites.
(Note: GRAP thresholds and exact triggers have been revised by authorities in recent rulings; Stage-3 could be invoked when AQI crosses specific official thresholds and following CAQM/Delhi govt. orders).
Immediate actions residents should take
- Limit outdoor activities — especially vigorous exercise. Keep children and older adults indoors when possible.
- Use well-fitting N95 / KN95 masks outdoors if you must go out.
- Keep windows and doors closed; run indoor air purifiers where available and change filters regularly.
- Avoid using two-wheelers or private cars for short trips — use public transport if available and safe. Metro operators often add services during pollution spikes.
- Follow official directives on construction, vehicle entry, and civic advisories — non-compliance may attract fines or restrictions.
Impact on commuting, construction and businesses
If GRAP-3 is formally activated, commuters can expect stricter vehicle checks, entry restrictions for older/high-emission commercial vehicles, and a halt to many construction activities until air quality improves. Public-transport providers (Metro, buses) may increase frequency to reduce private vehicle use. Businesses should prepare contingency plans for staff working remotely.
Why the spike? — causes and seasonal context
Delhi's winter pollution spikes are usually a combination of local emissions (traffic, industry, construction dust), crop-residue burning in neighbouring states, and weather conditions (low wind speeds, temperature inversion) that trap pollutants close to the ground. Festival-period emissions (burning fireworks, biomass burning) and cooler temperatures frequently worsen air dispersion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is GRAP-3 already in force?
A: Activation depends on official orders from CAQM / local authorities. Reports indicate GRAP-3 is being considered and in some past instances has been activated when AQI crossed the official threshold; check live government advisories for the final confirmation.
Q: What areas recorded AQI > 400?
A: Multiple monitoring stations in Delhi reported readings that reached or exceeded 400 on the reported day — check the CPCB / SAFAR / local monitoring dashboards for station-wise readings.