Despite stubble burning just accounting to mere five per cent, Delhi’s air quality was bracketed in the ‘severe’ category on the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI). The value of Suspended Particulate Matters (SPMs) was recorded at 410 and 260 for Particulate Matter (PM) 10 and PM 2.5 in Microgram per cubic. However, the overall air quality index was recorded at 411, falls in the severe category as per the Central Pollution Control Pollution (CPCB).

It may be noted that the percentage of 'stubble fire count contribution' on SAFAR's map is decreasing with every passing day. On Monday, the pollution percentage generated due to stubble fire count was seven percent, whereas on Tuesday, it was remained only five percent on the SAFAR's map.

Pertinently, 21 areas in Delhi recorded 'severe air quality' while 12 areas showed very poor, according to CPCB. Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida and Noida recorded 'severe' air quality while Gurgaon's air quality was recorded in the 'very poor' category, CPCB quoted.

"Morning AQI was very poor. After the isolated shower in part of Delhi, lots of moisture is introduced in the air to make it heavy and increased the holding capacity which will force AQI to go to the "Severe" category from evening unit late night as the ventilation is also reduced. However, air quality may improve to very poor under controlled scenario (measures) by Wednesday and further recover in next two days as winds are likely to pick-up.

Fire counts (stubble fire) have reduced significantly and now upper air winds in Delhi are also coming from other direction (South-Easterly) so unlikely to impact Delhi," SAFAR's statement on air pollution quoted.

 Meanwhile, the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA lifted the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi on Tuesday, four days after it was imposed due to alarming pollution levels.

The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has lifted the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi on Tuesday, four days after it was imposed due to alarming pollution levels.

The EPCA-Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority-said heavy vehicles would now ply on normal timings between 11 PM and 6 AM. The move came even as Delhi's air quality deteriorated to "severe" category on Tuesday and authorities said light rainfall in the city might worsen pollution levels.

EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal said the restriction imposed by it on heavy vehicles had been lifted. On Monday, the EPCA allowed entry of only those vehicles into the city which were stranded for the previous four days at Delhi borders, anticipating the situation getting out of hand with the owners of over a 1,000 trucks getting "restive".

The EPCA had asserted on Monday that these stranded trucks would be exempt from paying toll or Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) from 11 pm on November 12 to 7 am on November 13.

The body had said by relaxing the payment of toll-ECC, the trucks can move without any stop and this will reduce congestion and reduce pollution.