The pollution control panel at the Center on Thursday issued instructions to prohibit non-essential construction activities in Delhi-NCR and restrict the entry of diesel-consuming trucks into the capital, as the air quality in the city deteriorated to the 'severe' category.

This measure is being implemented as part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is the central government's air pollution control strategy designed for execution in the region during the winter season.

At 5 pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 402.

(With inputs from agencies)