New Delhi shuts all primary schools as severe smog grounds flights and obscures Taj Mahal - Non-essential construction has been banned amid severe air quality issues

The Indian capital overtook Lahore as the world's most polluted city, with the smog triggering flight diversions.

Air pollution in the Indian capital is more than 50 times what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.

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.

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.