New Delhi, Nov. 1 -- Delhi's new winter anti-pollution restrictions triggered heavy traffic congestion at the national capital's borders on Sunday, as vehicles queued up for emission checks. The traffic snarls coincided with a deterioration in air quality, with Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 261 in the 'poor' category - the worst reading of the season so far and the highest in 198 days.

Heavy congestion was reported at several entry points, particularly along the Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Noida borders, where traffic police and enforcement personnel were checking vehicles entering the national capital.

Long queues formed near Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) toll booths and other entry points across the National Capital Re...