NEW DELHI: With air quality worsening sharply across the Delhi-NCR, authorities on Saturday invoked the strictest restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, triggering emergency curbs across the region. This comes hours after implementation of GRAP stage III measured in the national capital region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management said its GRAP sub-committee had decided to enforce all measures under Stage IV or ‘Severe+’ air quality with immediate effect after pollution levels crossed critical thresholds. In an official statement, the panel said, “Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. ” It added that these steps would be in addition to restrictions already in force under Stages I, II and III.

The decision came hours after Delhi slipped back into the ‘severe’ category, prompting the reimposition of Stage III curbs earlier in the day. According to official data, the city’s Air Quality Index, which stood at 349 on Friday evening, surged overnight and was recorded at 401 by Saturday morning due to slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere and unfavourable meteorological conditions that hampered the dispersion of pollutants.

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A dense layer of smog enveloped the capital on Saturday morning, reducing visibility and intensifying health concerns. Wazirpur recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 445, followed by Vivek Vihar at 444, Jahangirpuri at 442 and Anand Vihar at 439. Several other areas, including Rohini, Ashok Vihar, Narela, Mundka and Bawana, also remained in the ‘severe’ range.

Poor air quality conditions extended beyond Delhi, with parts of Uttar Pradesh also reporting dense smog. Noida sectors recorded AQI levels of 448, while visibility dropped in cities such as Bulandshahr, Ayodhya and Mainpuri amid fog and haze.

Under CPCB norms, an AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as ‘severe’ and poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. Authorities have directed enforcement agencies to intensify checks and ensure strict compliance with GRAP measures to prevent further deterioration in air quality.