The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday upgraded Delhi's air quality to 'very poor' from 'severe' with an index value (AQI) of 399. SAFAR — a body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences — showed a slightly better AQI at 385.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday that the government would implement the odd-even scheme "whenever required". He also called upon the Centre to take initiatives in controlling air pollution in Delhi.
"I have met the Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan several times in the last one year. The air does not have a boundary. The Centre should take initiative and invite all neighbouring states for consultation for checking air pollution," he said.
Meanwhile, the cold wave conditions have gripped the national capital, leading to a drop in mercury. For Wednesday, weather websites have forecast a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celcius.
"Whenever Delhi's air quality deteriorates, we see a rise in the number of patients visiting OPDs or cases of emergency admission with respiratory or cardiac related problems. At AIIMS, we have observed that there is about 15 to 20 per cent rise in such cases," Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, said.
Area-wise air pollution figures of Delhi:
 "Delhi Air Pollution")