The overall air quality in Delhi continues to remain in the ‘severe’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with the national capital witnessing a thick layer of toxic haze on Monday morning. As per the latest data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 440 on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, many areas in Delhi reported worsening air quality as the AQI in RK Puram stood at 466; ITO reported AQI at 402, Pratapganj at 471 and New Moti Bagh at 488.

Air quality across Delhi continues to be in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

AQI in RK Puram at 466, in ITO at 402, in Patparganj at 471 and in New Moti Bagh at 488 pic.twitter.com/oBrbdeLqdp— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2023

#WATCH | Air quality across Delhi continues to be in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

(Visuals from Kartavya Path, shot at 6:52 am today) pic.twitter.com/7ZKlaQa7UM— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2023

The worsening air quality has prompted the Centre and the Delhi government to take strict actions to impose stringent measures under the air pollution control plan. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called for a meeting for all the concerned departments on Monday. As per an official statement, the meeting will be held to initiate strict implementation of GRAP-IV, the highest level of air pollution control measures invoked on Sunday, November 5.

On Sunday, November 5 the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to impose stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire Delhi-NCR with immediate effect to prevent further degradation of air quality.

Several areas in Delhi-NCR also recorded severe air quality with AQI standing at 413 in Ghaziabad while Gurugram reported AQI at 369 and Noida at 403, on Monday morning. Greater Noida reported AQI at 369 and Faridabad at 426.

Meanwhile, under the implementation of GRAP-IV, only the CNG, electric and BS VI vehicles from other states will be allowed to enter Delhi, while certain exemptions are granted only to those vehicles involved in essential services. Additionally, all medium and heavy goods vehicles, which are not engaged in essential services, will be banned in the capital. The CAQM has also asked to ban the construction work related to linear public projects and allow 50% of the staff in government and private offices to work from home, according to reports.

Non-essential construction work and some of the specific categories of pollution vehicles have already been banned in Delhi and the primary schools also have been shut till November 10.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)