The central government on Tuesday enforced stricter anti-pollution measures across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) by invoking Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following a sharp deterioration in the city’s air quality to the 'severe' category.

The decision by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was prompted by Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) surging from 362 (Very Poor) on Monday to a hazardous 425 (Severe) on Tuesday morning. The CAQM attributed the steep rise to unfavourable weather conditions, including calm winds and a stable atmosphere, which allowed pollutants to accumulate close to the surface.

The implementation of Stage III introduces several significant restrictions, adding to the actions already in force under GRAP Stages I and

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