NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality worsened sharply on Saturday, slipping into the ‘very poor' category with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 303, compared to 218 recorded a day earlier. Experts warned that respite is unlikely as the city enters its most polluted fortnight of the year.

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the period from Nov 1 to 15 has typically been the most polluted in the Capital, with an average AQI of 371 between 2018 and 2023. This phase coincides with peak stubble burning , heavy festival traffic and unfavourable weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground. Last year, Delhi recorded eight ‘severe' air quality da-ys (AQI above 400) in Nov — six of them between Nov 1 and 15. This year, Diwali was cel

See Full Page