Delhi’s air quality is categorized into four stages: Stage I is “poor” (AQI 201-300); Stage II is “very poor” (AQI 301-400); Stage III is “severe” (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV is “severe plus” (AQI >450). The new GRAP - 4 guidelines and restrictions are effective from Monday. What is GRAP - 4 ? An AQI above 400 is considered hazardous, impacting even healthy individuals and posing serious risks to those with existing health conditions. Under the Graded Response Action Plan ( GRAP ) Stage IV , the government has implemented strict restrictions , which inter alia, include restricting large freight vehicles powered by diesel, trucks transporting non-essential items on roads and moving classes to the online mode. Why has the highest stage of pollution-related restrictions been announced now for Delhi-NCR and what is banned under it? Is the AQI expected to improve in the next few days? We explain.
