India’s capital city faced very poor air quality for the third day as thick smog enveloped the capital city, forcing the local government to implement traffic curbs and order schools to switch to online classes.

Authorities in New Delhi closed primary schools and imposed vehicle and construction restrictions on Friday, as air pollution levels in the Indian capital remained “severe”. The government-run Central Pollution Control Board said air quality readings in parts of the city were above 400,

The pollution level led to the Commission for Air Quality Management, the central pollution watchdog to invoke restrictions under the third stage of the graded response action plan (GRAP). This will issue a ban on construction activities,

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

Delhi woke up to GRAP Stage III restrictions on Friday, as the city's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day, pr