Delhi air quality deteriorated to the severe-plus category on Thursday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 450 in several areas, including Anand Vihar, Dwarka, and Rohini. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) invoked Grade-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing an immediate ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, halting all construction work, and mandating work-from-home for at least 50% of government staff.
Schools up to Class 12 have been directed to switch to online mode until AQI drops below the severe threshold. The Delhi government also deployed water-sprinkler trucks and anti-smog guns at major intersections. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the situation and scheduled a hearing for Friday. Weather forecasters warned that calm wind conditions and low temperatures over the next 48 hours could worsen the pollution further.