A thick layer of smog enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) continued to be "very poor" despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP.
As per the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi at 8 am was recorded at 354, which falls under the "very poor" category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.
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Delhi-NCR tightens pollution controls From November 1, 2026: The government said that E-challans will be generated against non-compliant vehicles.
The Air Quality Index is a measure used to communicate air pollution levels and their potential impact on health. India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) divides readings into six categories
The CAQM team visited several villages in Punjab, where farmers flagged difficulties in using crop residue management machinery to prevent stubble burning.
Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru remained in the poor category, with Bengaluru recording the lowest AQI among the six major metros.
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