Goa, Nov. 2 -- Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 310 and entering the 'very poor' category despite stricter pollution-control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Neighbouring Noida also recorded a worrying AQI of 311, while Ghaziabad registered 278 and Gurugram reported 230, placing both cities in the 'poor' category. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 116, which falls under the 'moderate' category.

The latest deterioration comes just days after rainfall brought significant relief to residents across the national capital. On October 30, Delhi's AQI dropped to 60, marking the city's cleanest October air quality in four years.

However, pollution levels have since...