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 air pollution: 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.

Image Source : PTI An anti-smog gun being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution, in New Delhi.

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

The Supreme Court also rapped the Delhi government on Monday and demanded to know how the ban on firecrackers was not fully implemented.

Air pollution in many areas in Delhi remained in the “severe” category for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar reaching 448 (PM10) at 10am, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

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.