Delhi-NCR woke to a hazy Thursday, October 22, 2026. Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 226 at 7 am, in ‘Poor’. The CAQM sub-committee invoked Stage-I of GRAP across NCR on October 21. Offices are reassessing onsite staffing, mask use, and ventilation in response.
Early readings showed stress beyond Delhi proper. Gurugram logged ‘Poor’ conditions, with Manesar at 244 and city around 216. Some Delhi pockets touched ‘Very Poor’ bands. Noida and Greater Noida trended ‘Poor’ to ‘Very Poor’ this morning. Some neighbourhoods saw isolated overnight spikes.
Today’s AQI and GRAP status for Delhi-NCR offices
Stage-I actions focus on dust control and waste burning checks. They also curb diesel generators without compliant emissions controls. There is no automatic WFH mandate at Stage-I. Agencies urge public transport, PUC checks, and construction dust suppression. Facilities teams should log compliance and track nearby monitors each morning.
HR checklist: WFH, staggered shifts, indoor air and N95s
Adopt protective steps even without a mandate. Prioritise remote work for pregnant staff, asthmatics, and exam-bound students. Stagger start times to dodge rush-hour build-up. Issue N95s, run HEPA purifiers, and enable recirculation indoors. Track Delhi’s winter plan, which proposes 50% WFH from November 1. Past GRAP-III orders mandated WFH for half the staff.
Commute and health tips employees should follow
Prefer Metro and buses to reduce fleet emissions. If driving, keep windows shut and set recirculation. Two-wheeler riders should wear a fitted N95. Avoid strenuous outdoor workouts before lunch. Nighttime often sees the worst PM2.5. Schedule field tasks for midday windows when dispersion improves.
Next 72-hour outlook and when policies may ease
Forecasters expect ‘Poor’ conditions through Saturday, October 24. Some pockets may briefly slip into ‘Very Poor’. HR teams should review CPCB’s 4 pm bulletin and adjust protections daily. If winds strengthen next week, relax staggered timings first. Maintain indoor masking until consistent ‘Moderate’ readings return.
