India, Oct. 19 -- Delhi has moved into Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 300, marking the air as "very poor."

In an order on Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management, which is the Centre's anti-pollution panel, said the Air Quality Index (AQI) has dipped and is expected to worsen.

"The AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend since morning and has been recorded as 296 at 4:00 PM and 302 at 7:00 PM. The forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts further deterioration of AQI in the coming days," it noted.

"The Sub-Committee, accordingly decides to invoke all actions under Stage-II ('Very Poor' Air Quality) of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect, in additio...