Delhi: smog thickens, AQI worsens; residents asked to cut use of vehicles

A thick layer of smog lingering over Delhi thickened on Friday, lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the national capital.

The Central Pollution Control Board has advised government and private offices in Delhi to cut down their vehicular usage by at least 30 per cent due to the poor air quality in the national capital.

This comes after a meeting on the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan to restrict deterioration of the air quality in Delhi.

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The people of Delhi have also been advised to limit their outdoor activities and minimise their exposure to the air in the city.

Over 4,000 farm fires, which accounted for 35 per cent of Delhi's pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average Air Quality Index to 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season so far.

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The current weather conditions are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants and the incidence of stubble burning is likely to remain high.