India's capital territory of Delhi is keen to use artificial rain to fight air pollution this year, its Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday, as deteriorating air quality in the region led to an increase in respiratory illnesses.

The air quality in Delhi has remained in ‘very poor’ category for the past few days. On Wednesday, the AQI of Delhi hovered at 358, a slight improvement from Tuesday’s 384, which also falls in the ‘very poor’ category.

In areas like Punjabi Bagh, Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Moti Bagh, and Patparganj, the air quality worsened with AQI hit the ‘severe’ category.

Toxic smog has shrouded Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore for days as surging pollution spurs authorities to curb activities and set up a panel to oversee preventive efforts.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a review meeting on Tuesday with officials at the Delhi Secretariat to assess the steps taken to combat the escalating pollution levels in the national capital.