NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality saw a marginal improvement on Wednesday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 228 at 9 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).For comparison, the national capital had recorded an AQI of 291 at 4 pm on November 4. Despite a slight improvement, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, affecting several areas across the city.More than 20,000 challans have been issued in Delhi under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-2 since its implementation on October 19, 2025, as part of measures to curb vehicular pollution.Speaking to ANI, additional police commissioner Satya Vir Katara said, “GRAP-2 has been in effect in Delhi since October 19, 2025. Under this, action is taken against polluting vehicles. So far, more than 20,000 challans for PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) have been issued, with a fine of 10,000 rupees.”He added that commercial vehicles running on diesel or petrol below BS-3 standards, and those not registered in Delhi, are being barred from entering the national capital.“Those commercial vehicles running on diesel and petrol below BS-3 standards entering Delhi, which are not registered in Delhi, are also being turned back,” he said.Appealing for public cooperation, Katara said, “I appeal to all of you to cooperate with the Delhi Traffic Police so that action can be taken against polluting vehicles.”According to CPCB data, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 279, while Lodhi Road, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), reported 213. The Air Quality Index at ITO stood at 274, staying in the poor range. Other key areas, including RK Puram (223), Jahangirpuri (235), Chandni Chowk (228), and Sirifort (263), also continued to experience poor air quality.However, the National Capital’s air quality showed slight variations across different areas, with Aya Nagar recording a ‘moderate’ air quality index (AQI) of 177, while IGI Airport reported an AQI of 160 (moderate), and Najafgarh stood at 141 (moderate). ‘Moderate’ air quality was recorded at DTU with an AQI of 166, and at Mandir Marg, an AQI of 181. According to the AQI classification, air quality is rated as ‘good’ for 0–50, ‘satisfactory’ for 51–100, ‘moderate’ for 101–200, ‘poor’ for 201–300, ‘very poor’ for 301–400, and ‘severe’ for 401–500.In an effort to reduce pollution, water sprinkling operations were conducted around Lodhi Road using a vehicle from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Early in the morning at 7:16 am, a layer of haze was observed over the Akshardham area.(With agency inputs)