Penalties amounting to ₹5.85 crore were imposed on the first day of anti-pollution measures under the third stage of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for NCR. GRAP stage 3 guidelines were imposed across Delhi earlier this week to deal with the worsening air quality.

Delhi NCR enforces GRAP Stage 3 due to hazardous air quality, halting non-essential construction and restricting vehicle use to reduce pollution levels

The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 417, making it the worst in the country. On Friday, the AQI level was 396

GRAP stage 3 came into force at 8am on Friday. The Delhi government announced that classes for primary schools will be shifted to online.

The GRAP 3 curbs in Delhi include ban on demolition and construction activities, and entry of certain vehicles inside Delhi-NCR, among other curbs, to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Delhi's air quality remained "severe" for a second consecutive day, prompting the central pollution watchdog to invoke restrictions under the third stage of GRAP, including a ban on construction activ