The overall air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday and the residents woke up to the usual scenes of the city being engulfed by thick smog. The average air quality index (AQI) stands at 373 as per data by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality has even deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category in some areas of the national capital. The AQI in Delhi’s Alipur’s stood at 411, 438 in Bawana, 413 in Dwarka, and 433 in Jahangirpuri.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, 401 and 450 ‘severe’ and above 450 ‘severe plus’.

The city’s 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm, stood at 395 on Wednesday, 372 on Tuesday, deteriorating from 348 on Monday and 301 on Sunday.

Delhi has been witnessing a steep increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement on Sunday.

The increase in AQI levels comes after the Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi following a drop in pollution levels due to favourable wind speed and direction.