The  Commission for Air Quality Management  (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas on Friday decided to delay implementation of stricter measures to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR despite the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi breaching the 400-mark for the second time in three days. Meanwhile, Cold conditions and thick fog continued in Delhi on Friday during the celebrations of 75th Republic Day  as the minimum temperature in the city settled at 4.7 degrees Celsius, officials said on Friday. The maximum temperature was recorded at 20.4 degree Celsius, a notch below the normal.  Ridge saw the maximum temperature at 21.9 degree Celsius.  The night and morning witnessed as cold day conditions on Friday. People got some respite in the day time due to sun light.

Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 409 at 4 pm, a level requiring authorities to invoke stricter curbs under Stage III of the Centre's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution.

The CAQM sub-committee for operationalisation of GRAP convened an emergency meeting and took stock of the air quality situation, projected AQI and meteorological forecasts, a statement said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), a dip in temperature and foggy weather allowed accumulation of pollutants in Delhi on Friday.

Forecasts by the IMD and the IITM suggest an improvement in Delhi's air quality from Friday itself. It is expected to be in the 'very poor' category in the coming days, the statement said.

"Therefore, the committee decided to monitor the situation before considering invocation of stringent actions under Stage III of GRAP," it said.