Ludhiana, Nov. 11 -- Ludhiana's air quality deteriorated further on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 314 and pushing the district into 'very poor' category. The worsening pollution coincided with a renewed spurt in farm fire incidents, which increased by 33 in a day to reach 226 in the district on Monday, even as the paddy harvesting season draws to a close.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, PM2.5, microscopic particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, remained the predominant pollutant in Tuesday's AQI readings.

Ludhiana's worsening air quality stood out against an improving trend in Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala, which reco...