LUCKNOW, Nov. 16 -- Amid rising concerns over the city's deteriorating air quality, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has directed several factories in the Talkatora industrial area to temporarily halt operations, officials said.

The decision follows two consecutive days of 'poor' air quality levels in the city and persistently high pollution readings from Talkatora, which has emerged as the most polluted monitoring station in Lucknow.

According to UPPCB data, the city's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 204 and 203 on Thursday and Friday, which falls in the 'poor' category. While the reading improved slightly to 183 ('moderate') on Saturday, pollution officials said the relief was temporary, with industrial emissions...