India said on Sunday that it would tighten restrictions including on construction activities and vehicle movements in New Delhi and surrounding areas from Monday to combat worsening air quality.

Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning. This time, experts say that the condition is likely to get worse in the coming days.

The Centre’s air quality panel has imposed Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR from 8 am on Monday. The move came after the city's air quality plunged into the "severe" category,

Despite "severe" AQI, many in Delhi are choosing to step outside, continuing their daily routines in the city’s parks.