New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- Delhi-NCR has come under stricter pollution-control measures just days before Diwali, with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Friday, November 6.

The move brings fresh curbs on construction activity, older vehicles and industrial operations, while also allowing authorities to consider changes to school and office arrangements.

The restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure amid deteriorating air quality. Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 on Friday, in the 'very poor' category, although several monitoring stations recorded readings in the 'severe' range. Stage III measures have been added to the restrictions a...