Delhi’s Air Quality Remained “Server” for the 2nd Consecutive Day

Noida performed the best among NCR towns with an implementation score of 36 percent, CPCB said. Delhi had an implementation score of 31.77 percent, while Faridabad and Ghaziabad had 28 and 26.72 percent respectively.

Delhi's air quality remained "severe" for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as high moisture content and low wind speed prevented pollutants from dispersing.

As a thick haze engulfed Delhi, authorities said they were weighing options like rationing of vehicles and a ban on construction activities in the National Capital Region to check the pollution level from sliding further.

The Central Pollution Control Board said Gurgaon's enforcement authorities have given the poorest performance in NCR in addressing complaints related to violation of norms through November; its implementation score was only 4.7 percent.

Noida performed the best among NCR towns with an implementation score of 36 percent, CPCB said. Delhi had an implementation score of 31.77 percent, while Faridabad and Ghaziabad had 28 and 26.72 percent respectively.

The chairperson of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority, Bhure Lal, said stringent actions would be taken if "severe" conditions persisted for another 48 hours. The actions include emergency measures like rationing of vehicles on roads and a ban on construction activities.

Lal said if winds pick up speed, Delhi's air quality might improve.

He hoped that rainfall predicted in the city on Wednesday will help improve the air quality.

The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an overall air quality index of 415 in Delhi on Tuesday. The AQI on Monday was 412.

Ghaziabad, Noida, and Faridabad also recorded "severe" air quality. Ghaziabad's air quality was the worst with an AQI of 429, CPCB data showed. Gurgaon recorded "very poor" air quality.

Twenty-one areas in Delhi recorded "severe" air quality and 10 areas recorded "very poor" air quality. Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Burari and Wazirpur edged towards "severe-plus emergency" category, the CPCB said.

Experts said even healthy people find it hard to breathe when the pollution level is "severe" and doctors advise residents to keep physical activity to a minimum.