New Delhi, Nov 5 (PTI) As the city witnessed AQI in 'severe' category a day after Diwali, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Friday shut down 92 construction and demolition projects that were found violating dust control norms.

The pollution control body, in a statement, said field inspections were strengthened and special drives were intensified on Friday to monitor construction and demolition projects in the city.

Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Man Stabbed to Death By Father-Son Duo After Dispute Over Bursting Crackers In Mangaluru; Accused Arrested.

Closure directions were issued to 37 construction/demolition sites in the North Delhi district and an environmental damage compensation (EDC) of Rs 9 lakh was imposed on all the 37 sites.

"Directions were also issued to 33 construction projects in New Delhi District for stoppage of construction. These are the projects wherein no reply was received in response to our SCNs," the DPCC said.

Also Read | Pune Shocker: 25-Year-Old Man Murders Alcoholic Father, Arrested.

A total of 12 projects in the Central district and 10 in the North West district were also issued closure directions for violation of dust control measures.

After the rampant cracker bursting on Diwali despite restrictions in place, air quality deteriorated in many parts of north and central India, including the national capital where it was the poorest in five years post the festival with a rise in stubble burning in neighbouring states compounding the pollution woes.

As a thick layer of acrid smog enveloped the Delhi-NCR region throughout the day, blotting out the sun, the neighbouring cities of Faridabad (460), Greater Noida (423), Ghaziabad (450), Gurgaon (478) and Noida (466) also recorded 'severe' air quality at noon.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)