NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday imposed Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the region’s air quality slipped into the ‘severe’ category.

The decision came as Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) surged from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday morning, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The sharp rise was attributed to calm winds, a stable atmosphere, and unfavourable weather conditions that prevented pollutants from dispersing.

Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 421 at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Multiple locations in the city reported pollution levels well above the 400-mark, with Bawana registering 462, Alipur 442, RK Puram 446, and Patparganj 438.

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