New Delhi, Dec. 13 -- As air quality in the national capital deteriorated further, slipping into the 'severe-plus' category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), triggering the most stringent emergency measures to curb worsening pollution levels in Delhi and the NCR.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the pollution watchdog said air quality trends in the city were continuously worsening. Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 431 at 4 pm, which further rose to 441 by 6 pm, driven by slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, unfavourable meteorological conditions, and poor dispersion of pollutants.
"With the AQI nearing the 'severe-plus' range and...