Authorities have imposed the strictest anti-pollution restrictions under Stage-IV of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR after air quality levels slipped into the severe+ category on Saturday, triggering emergency measures to arrest further deterioration. The strictest anti-pollution curbs were imposed hours after GRAP-III restrictions came into effect.

The decision was taken by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a sharp worsening trend on Saturday.

Official data showed the AQI dipping from 431 at around 4 pm to 441 by 6 pm, prompting concerns that pollution levels could soon breach the "Severe+" threshold.

According to the CAQM, the spike was driven by slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, unfavourable

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