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.

Delhi's air quality remained "severe" for a second consecutive day, prompting the central pollution watchdog to invoke restrictions under the third stage of GRAP, including a ban on construction activ

Delhi NCR is implementing GRAP Stage 3 due to severe air quality, halting non-essential construction and restricting vehicle use. The region's AQI has reached hazardous levels, prompting authorities to enforce stricter measures like banning certain vehicles and limiting construction activities to combat pollution.