The air quality in Delhi has been deteriorating as it hovered in the ‘severe’ category on Thursday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) remaining above 400 in different areas across the city.

As per the latest data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 411, in Dwarka at 417 in ITO at 415, in RK Puram at 418, and in Pratapganj at 416 on Thursday morning.

With the rising AQI level across the national capital, several areas were seen covered with a thick layer of haze and smog in the morning.

#WATCH | A layer of haze covers Delhi as the air quality in several areas in the city remains in 'Severe' category.

(Visuals from Akshardham, shot at 7:20 am) pic.twitter.com/u7Iuqgf4mZ— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

Similarly, the neighbouring regions such as Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 378, Gurugram at 297, Greater Noida at 338, Noida at 360 and Faridabad at 390, falling in the ‘very poor’ category.

In view of the degrading air quality, the Delhi government is likely to implement a complete ban on passenger buses except the ones operating on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel from entering Delhi, news agency PTI reported.

Currently, under the GRAP IV implementation in the city, only the trucks have been barred from entering the national capital. Apart from this, there has also been a ban on the construction sites. Enforcement teams have been deployed in different areas to enforce the restrictions.

On the other hand, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) has written a letter to the Centre’s pollution control panel on Wednesday, November 15, urging to lift the ban on construction work.

“The construction activities should be allowed to resume with all precautionary measures. The real estate sector follows all the guidelines, like installation of anti-smog guns at the worksite, covering construction materials during transportation, regular sprinkling of water, and ensuring workers wear masks, etc. to control the pollution,” Manoj Gaur, the president of the real estate developers’ body, was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

The pollution control panel has imposed a ban on construction and demolition activities, including linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, pipelines and power lines besides the non-essential work.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)