Overview
- The order took effect Friday after Delhi’s average AQI fell from 380 to 236 by 4 pm, driven mainly by stronger surface winds that dispersed pollutants.
- Stages I and II remain in force, while construction, mining and BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel vehicle restrictions were lifted; sites closed for violations cannot restart without explicit approval.
- AQEWS and IMD/IITM projections point to a return to the very poor band from Sunday, and authorities said they will continue close monitoring.
- On Saturday the 24-hour average AQI rose to about 267 and was inching upward, underscoring warnings that the improvement could be short-lived.
- Dense fog disrupted travel, with around 60–66 flight cancellations at Delhi airport and a yellow alert issued for reduced visibility.