NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Delhi's 20 million residents were effectively breathing smoke on Thursday as the air quality index (AQI) breached the "severe" and "hazardous" categories in nearly all monitoring stations of the Indian capital, spurring calls to close schools. The AQI exceeded 450 in many places early in the day, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. The index exceeded 800 in some pockets of the city, according Delhi Pollution Control Committee findings. Alarmed by abnormally high levels of air pollution in Delhi, India's federal pollution control board on Thursday evening banned the entry of diesel trucks carrying non-essential goods into the capital. "What is happening with air pollution in Delhi is nothing short of a crime against humanity!"

---