India, Nov. 6 -- Delhi-NCR has moved under stricter pollution-control measures ahead of Diwali, with authorities imposing Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as air quality continued to worsen. Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 382 over the 24-hour period, bringing it close to the 401 mark at which pollution is classified as severe.

The deterioration has also been reported across neighbouring NCR cities. Noida recorded an AQI of 303, Greater Noida stood at 316, Gurugram reached 368, while Ghaziabad registered 257.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI readings between 301 and 400 fall in the 'very poor' category. A reading between 401 and 500 is classified as 'severe'. The region was alrea...