India, Dec. 4 -- States across north India have been directed by the Centre to intensify district-wise pollution control efforts, with a particular emphasis on cities around the national capital, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Wednesday.

The direction followed a high-level meeting convened earlier in the day by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, where representatives of northern states reviewed the region's deteriorating air quality and discussed coordinated action.

Following the meeting, several immediate interventions were ordered for implementation across Delhi NCR. These include round-the-clock deployment of mechanised road sweepers, anti-smog guns and water sprinklers in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Gh...