In an immediate effort to reduce the impact of polluted air, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on Friday a revision of working hours across government offices, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) readings and particulate matter (PM) levels in various parts of the city are as follows:

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced staggered timings for government offices to combat severe air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

Northern India encountered the recurring annual pre-winter event of air emergency where the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings of main pollutant PM 2.5 breached the 400-mark of “very poor” and landed the air of Delhi, Punjab and other northern cities into the “hazardous” category.

Air pollution choking New Delhi has ground outdoor work to a halt and disrupted air travel in the Indian capital.

Delhi and its neighbouring cities are experiencing pollution levels that are at least 30-35 times the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures,

A layer of smog engulfed the capital city as the pollution levels continue to remain high. The AQI of Pragati Maidan and surrounding areas including ITO is 357 categorised as 'Very Poor'.

The GRAP 3 curbs in Delhi include ban on demolition and construction activities, and entry of certain vehicles inside Delhi-NCR, among other curbs, to prevent further deterioration of air quality.