'Severe' pollution jolts capital after 28 days of relief

An accumulation of local pollution elements on Friday pushed Delhi's AQI to 409, ending the city's 28-day break from "severe" air quality. (Image source: PTI)

Sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect (Image source : PTI)

As part of these measures, CAQM asked NCR states to ban plying of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, and Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts. (Image source: PTI)

The commission's order banned construction and demolition activities, except in railway services or railway stations, Metro services including stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals, national security or defence-related activities or projects of national importance. (Image source: PTI)

Following the rollout of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) 3 measures on Friday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said state governments in Delhi and NCR may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children upto Class V and conducting classes in online mode. (image source: BCCL)

CAQM said unfavourable meteorological conditions, including fog and haze along with low wind speed, were the major factors in the sudden spike in Delhi's average AQI. (Image source: PTI)

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the PM2.5 level hovered around 209.9 micrograms per cubic metres at 3 pm. The safe limit, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) norms, is 15 units in 24 hours. (Image source: PTI)