Pollutants' level rises marginally in Delhi

Pollutants in Delhi's air today showed a marginal rise, a day after bonfires across the NCR region marked Lohri celebrations, even as foggy conditions continued to prevail.
The average levels of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10, extremely fine respirable particles, were 178 and 287 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.
The corresponding safe limits are 60 and 100.
An IMD official said that fog would shroud parts of the city at least for the next two days bringing down visibility during the early morning hours.
Real-time PM 2.5 and PM 10 readings of several Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) stations were five to six times above the prescribed safe standards in the evening.

R K Puram and Mandir Marg stations of DPCC had PM 2.5 at 215 and 195 respectively while PM 10 were 371 and 334.

Monitoring stations of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) across the city displayed air quality in the 'very poor' category with PM 2.5 recorded as the most prominent pollutant.
Air quality is considered very poor by Indian authorities when level of PM 2.5 ranges from 120 to 250 microgrammes per cubic metre.
The odd-even car rationing scheme, in place for the last two weeks, will end tomorrow. The Delhi government had implemented the measure to combat alarming levels of air pollution.