Delhi's air quality remains critically poor, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 400 in many areas. On Thursday morning, the overall AQI was recorded at 398, nearing hazardous levels. The minimum temperature in the city was around 17 degrees Celsius. Following the alarming air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on November 14, imposing strict limits on construction, vehicular traffic, and industrial activities.

As of November 20, several areas reported severe AQI levels: Anand Vihar at 411, Ashok Vihar at 441, and Bawana at 436. Other locations like Dwarka Sector 8 and Rohini also faced severe conditions, with AQI readings of 417 and 446, respectively. The National Capital Region also showed concerning figures, with Noida at 408 and Ghaziabad at 430.

The CPCB categorizes AQI levels, where 0-50 is good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe. Currently, many areas in Delhi are classified as 'very poor' or 'severe'. If the AQI exceeds 400, GRAP Stage IV will be activated, leading to stricter measures such as a complete ban on non-essential diesel and petrol trucks, halting all construction activities, and possibly shifting schools to online classes.

Despite a slight improvement in air quality, with an average AQI of 359 reported on Saturday, toxic smog continues to blanket the city. The ITO area recorded an AQI of 370, while Noida's Sector 125 reported 434. Residents have expressed frustration over the worsening air quality, attributing it to increased vehicular traffic. One resident from Punjabi Bagh stated, "The buses, cars, which are increasing day by day, and there is no way for the cars to fit on the roads, that's how many there are, so pollution is increasing. There should be some control on the vehicles."

The Delhi High Court has responded to the deteriorating air quality by cancelling all outdoor sports events, emphasizing the need to protect children's health during these hazardous months. Additionally, the Supreme Court has mandated that construction workers affected by the GRAP restrictions receive a subsistence allowance. The GRAP Stage III measures remain in effect, aiming to control emissions and improve air quality in the region.