New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed stage 1 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the Delhi-NCR region. The move came after air quality slipped into the 'poor' category on Wednesday, recording a hike from 179 (moderate) on October 20 to 244 (poor) at 2 pm on October 21.

"The Air Quality lndex (AQI) of Delhi which was observed 179 (Moderate category)on October 20, has exhibited a sharp rise with AQI of 244 at 2 pm on October 21 (Poor category)," said the CAQM in a statement.

Under Stage-I of GRAP, authorities have been directed to strictly enforce Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms and take action against visibly polluting vehicles, including impounding them or charging pena...