As areas in Delhi NCR see an AQI of 500, here’s how the toxic pollution is impacting your body on a daily basis

According to a recent study, vehicular emission is one of the biggest reasons for spike in pollution level in Delhi.

Delhi's air quality plunged to hazardous levels on Monday, recording a season-high AQI of 493. Strict Stage 4 curbs under GRAP, including truck bans and halted public construction, are enforced in the capital city.

First introduced in 2017, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) outlines pollution control measures based on air quality severity: On Sunday, Delhi’s AQI hit a staggering 441 at 4 pm and worsened to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions. Responding to this, the CAQM announced stricter measures, effective from Monday morning.

Delhi's AQI hits 494, making it the most polluted city globally, with severe health and economic implications.

India's capital city of Delhi has virtually shut down as air pollution hit "severe plus" levels, according to Indian government officials in its pollution control authority.

Delhi recorded air pollution more than 17 times above an acceptable level as worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools.

The CPCB advised people to minimise travelling during the hours when AQI is in the ‘severe’ or ‘poor’ category.

Till Saturday, a majority of Delhi’s pollution load was from stubble fires (25.10%), followed by vehicular emission (12.58%), & contamination from neighbouring states.