• Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the "severe-plus" category on Tuesday morning, prompting authorities to implement stricter pollution control measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi reached 481 at 7 am, the worst this season, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions.
• The worsening air quality has led to reduced visibility, affecting flight operations and train services in the national capital. Stage 4 of GRAP includes stricter measures such as banning the entry of trucks, except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel, and prohibiting non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi.
• In-person classes have been suspended for all except students in classes 10 and 12, and all construction activities have been halted. Public and private offices in Delhi-NCR have been advised to operate at 50% capacity, with the remaining employees working from home.
• The pollution in Delhi is largely attributed to stubble burning or farm fires in neighboring states, contributing to around 38% of the pollution in the national capital this year.