Delhi air quality remains in ‘severe’ category; government may roll out odd-even scheme

National capital Delhi continued to grapple with rising air pollution as the air quality remained in ‘severe’ category on Saturday morning as well. A thick blanket of smog engulfed the city and brought the visibility down to as low as 200 meters.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, major pollutant PM 2.5 was recorded at 431 (severe) category and PM 10 at 283 (poor category) in Delhi's Lodhi Road area. the overall air quality index stood at 533 in Anand Vihar and 422 around PGDAV College under the 'hazardous' category.

#Delhi's Anand Vihar at 533 and area around PGDAV College, Sriniwaspuri at 422 under 'Hazardous' category & RK Puram at 278 under ' Very Unhealthy' category, in Air Quality Index pic.twitter.com/6vVxnkUHFj

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

The authorities have warned that the situation was likely to worsen more due to intensified stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, sources said that the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi was mulling to roll out the successful odd-even car rationing measure to control vehicular pollution. The Delhi government has reportedly completed all the preparations required for this.

The odd-even scheme had, in the past, proved significant in controlling the air pollution by bringing down the levels of major pollutant PM2.5. However, experts said that the scheme may not give the expected results if it is implemented with too many exemptions.