Air 'Very Poor', Delhi Authority Discourages Event Bookings At Its Open Spaces

With Delhi's air quality stuck in the "very poor" category, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is discouraging bookings of its open spaces for events and stepping up efforts to keep dust from adding to the city's pollution.Water sprinklers, anti-smog guns and road-sweeping machines have been deployed across areas under its control.

In Dwarka alone, the authority has built a network of 270 misting poles stretching nearly 12 km.The announcement comes as Delhi recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 369 on Thursday, compared with 377 on Wednesday.

The city has remained in the "very poor" category for four straight days, and forecasters have warned that pollution could turn "severe" from Friday through Sunday.The DDA said it was trying to avoid booking its open spaces for events wherever possible during the pollution period.