Residents of Delhi woke up to hazy skies and ‘poor’ air quality for the third consecutive day as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 286 on Saturday.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, the overall air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘poor’ category. The situation has persisted since Thursday when AQI stood at 256.

Visuals shared by news agency ANI highlighted smog-covered morning, capturing the gravity of the situation at popular landmarks such as India Gate, Kartavya Path and Akshardham.

#WATCH | Overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stands at 286, in the 'Poor' category as per SAFAR-India.

(Visuals from India Gate and Kartavya Path) pic.twitter.com/lNXhfHo0us— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2023

In the Delhi-NCR areas, Noida’s average AQI was above 300, and in Rohtak, it was 363. Karnal had an AQI of 341 while Ghaziabad reported AQI of 333, Gurugram at 200, and Faridabad at 303.

The deteriorating air quality is not limited to Delhi alone; Mumbai, too, is battling a significant rise in air pollution levels. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus recorded an AQI of 310, categorising the air quality as ‘very poor’.

#WATCH | Air quality 'Very Poor' at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus pic.twitter.com/PTAYYv8PJp

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2023

Rising concerns over air pollution prompted action from authorities. According to a report by The Times of India, the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) seized a Rs 15 lakh bank guarantee from Aegis Logistics and Sea Lord Containers, holding them accountable for failing to control pollution caused by their trucks and chemical storage facilities at Mahul.

The report added that pollution control officials have instructed Aegis Logistics and Sea Lord Containers in Mahul to reduce their activities to decrease pollution. Chemical storage facilities and the dust from their trucks raised the air quality to 200 (moderate-poor), exceeding the allowed 100 (satisfactory-moderate) level set by the central pollution authority.

In Delhi, factors such as stagnant wind speed and falling temperatures have been identified as key contributors to the worsening air quality. With winter approaching, emissions from firecrackers, paddy straw burning and local sources of pollution further exacerbate the situation.