NEW DELHI, Nov 5 (Reuters) - 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.

Delhi’s air quality worsens with AQI above 370, prompting stringent pollution controls. Over 54,000 vehicles were fined, construction sites shut down, and GRAP measures deployed to curb emissions.

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.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated that 88% of the pollution-related complaints submitted via the Green Delhi App have been addressed.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed at least 11 of Delhi’s 40 ambient air quality monitoring stations recorded pollution in the severe range at 8am