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.

The air quality of the national capital remained in the "severe" category on Saturday morning with the AQI settling at 407 at 9 am, according to the Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the national AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Chief Minister Atishi announced a revision of working hours across government offices to combat pollution and reduce traffic congestion on Friday.

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,

Agencies and governments expressly responsible for quelling the crisis have chosen to pass the blame to everyone but themselves