A heavy blanket of toxic smog engulfed Delhi-NCR early Sunday, making it the worst air quality day of the year so far. The Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked sharply to a concerning 491 at 6 am, firmly placing the region in the 'severe plus' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marks a significant jump from Saturday's 431.
In response to the hazardous conditions, the Air Quality Management Commission immediately invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the most stringent set of anti-pollution measures.
Key restrictions have been implemented:
Classes up to Class 5 are mandated to shift to a hybrid (online/offline) mode to limit children's exposure.
Movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is severely restricted across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.
An AQI above 450 is classified as 'severe plus', posing a serious health risk to all age groups. Forecasts suggest pollution levels will remain critical.