Thick grey haze choked Delhi for the third straight day on Tuesday, with the pollution levels remaining alarmingly high at 488 in the'severe plus' category. On Sunday, the AQI in the national capital breached 450.

Punjab recorded the highest number of stubble-burning cases on Monday. This comes as Delhi has been witnessing alarming air pollution levels for the past two days. On Sunday, the AQI level breached 450 in the national capital.

Efforts to control the escalating crisis have included the enforcement of Phase 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), but the situation remains grim as cold weather and stagnant winds trap pollutants over the region.

The BJP-led central government is only indulging in politics, and has taken no step to check stubble burning,” said Atishi.

Speaking to India Today TV, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi raised concern over the severe air pollution engulfing a large portion of northern India, calling the situation a "medical emergency" caused by rampant stubble burning in several "BJP-ruled" states.

Delhi CM Atishi said on Monday that the BJP-led central government was “only indulging in politics” and has taken no step to check stubble burning.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi declared a medical emergency in north India due to severe air pollution from stubble burning. She criticized the BJP-led central government for inaction and praised AAP-ruled Punjab for reducing instances of stubble burning.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi blamed farm fires in neighboring states - excluding Punjab, where her party also governs - for the capital's air crisis