Delhi NCR is implementing GRAP Stage 3 due to severe air quality, halting non-essential construction and restricting vehicle use. The region's AQI has reached hazardous levels, prompting authorities to enforce stricter measures like banning certain vehicles and limiting construction activities to combat pollution.

This decision comes as the region grapples with an alarming spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI), which has reached 424, placing it in the "Very Poor" category

Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning. This time, experts say that the condition is likely to get worse in the coming days.

Air pollution in India's national capital increased to 'severe' on an official index on Wednesday for the first time this season as temperatures and wind speeds dropped, reducing visibility and affecting some flights.

As the National Capital streets start to fill up with smog, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) has been compromised at an alarming rate of 402. This rating comes under the 'severe' category. According to a government notification,

Delhi residents woke up to ‘severe’ air quality on Thursday morning (November 14), a day after the national capital recorded the worst AQI in the country, with dense fog blanketing the NCR, reducing visibility.