Delhi air 'very poor' as centre, states hold emergency meeting on SC order

The national capital's AQI stood at 8 am at 331, in the 'very poor' category on Tuesday.

Toxic air shrouded Delhi and cities nearby on Tuesday as state governments meet later to consider ways to curb the pollution, scrambling after the Supreme Court recommended urgent restrictions on vehicle movement and industrial activities in and around the capital.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 331--'very poor'--at 8 am on Tuesday, according to the state-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Readings below 50 are considered safe, while anything above 300 is considered hazardous or 'severe'.

Delhi's AQI levels became worse after people violated a ban on bursting firecrackers on Diwali on November 4 while