Even as the Delhi residents are gasping for relief, the pollution levels in the national capital are continuing to worsen, with the authorities warning of further deterioration of air quality to 'severe' levels from Monday despite improvement on Sunday. With no respite in sight in Diwali week, authorities have stepped up efforts to combat pollution which includes measures like halting construction activities and regulating traffic. The air quality witnessed an improvement on Sunday as the pollution level came down to 'poor' category after oscillating between 'very poor' and 'severe' for nearly three weeks. Authorities have attributed the improvement in air quality to control measures and meteorological conditions but they have also warned of deterioration of air quality to 'severe' levels from Monday.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 231 on Sunday which falls in 'poor' category. On Friday, the AQI was recorded at 370, which came down to 336 on Saturday, according to data of the Central Pollution Control Board. On Sunday, the PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level was recorded at 106, while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 198. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor' and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Top Points:

1. Civil construction has been suspended in Delhi and other NCR districts, besides closure of all stone crushers and hot mix plants generating dust pollution.

2. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has also directed the Transport Department and the Traffic Police to intensify checking of all polluting vehicles and control travel congestion in the region during November 1-10. 

3. An aggressive 10-day long 'Clean Air Campaign' from November 1-10 has also been launched to monitor and report polluting activities as well as to ensure quick action. 

4. A total penalty of Rs 80 lakh was imposed on violators on Friday and Saturday by the teams deployed to monitor implementation of measures to combat pollition in Delhi-NCR under the campaign. These teams are visiting different parts of Delhi and adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida. 

5. Based on 465 complaints, a total fine of Rs 41,82,500 was imposed Saturday itself by 52 teams in the national capital, which has witnessed deteriorating air quality in the past two weeks.

6. The highest number of complaints were related to illegal construction and demolition activities, the CPCB said. On Friday, a total of 576 complaints were received and a fine of Rs 38,68,500 was imposed.

7. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) said fire counts in the northwest region of India were significantly less on Saturday as compared to Thursday, but warned of sharp increase in PM2.5 concentration from Monday.