Patiala, Jan. 21 -- For almost three months, residents across the major cities of the state have been exposed to unhealthy air as the air quality has remained in the "moderately polluted" to "poor" categories since November, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is categorised as good (0-50), satisfactory (51-100), moderately polluted (101-200), poor (201-300), very poor (301-400) and severe (401-500). Higher AQI values indicate worsening air quality and greater health risks.

According to CPCB data, not a single day in November and December recorded good or satisfactory air quality in major cities, including Patiala, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. On most days during this period, the AQI...