Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) showed improvement but stayed in the "poor" range, as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported a lower AQI of 273 at 8 am on Monday.

Whatever the causes of the smog, by one ranking Delhi was not just the most polluted city in the world, but “nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka,” in Bangladesh next door, as Shashi Tharoor, a leader of the opposition in Parliament and best-selling author, posted on X.

With Delhi-NCR grappling with declining air quality and rising pollution, various government initiatives aim to combat the primary sources. Key causes include industrial pollution, vehicular emissions,

India's capital city of Delhi has virtually shut down as air pollution hit "severe plus" levels, according to Indian government officials in its pollution control authority.

Unhealthy

Delhi's air quality remains in the very poor category with an AQI of 316. Several areas reported AQI above 300, prompting concerns from residents about health impacts and the need for government action to address pollution.

Delhi's air quality improved to "poor" with an AQI of 285 after 32 days above 301, aided by consistent winds and sunshine. However, a decline is expected soon.

The city recorded its best air quality since Oct 29, but hold on to that deep breath of satisfaction because Delhi's AQI was still 'poor'.Several stations continued to suffer very poor air quality. None recorded severe levels.

After nearly 32 days, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) fell below the 300-mark as it recorded 285 in the ‘poor’ category Sunday due to favourable wind conditions, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

With a little respite for the city's residents amid the bad air situation, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) levels on Sunday witnessed some improvement, stepping from 'very poor' to 'poor' category.