Ghaziabad, Oct. 19 -- For the third consecutive day, Ghaziabad on Saturday emerged as the most polluted city in the country, recording an air quality index (AQI) of 324, which falls under the "very poor" category, according to the daily AQI bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The bulletin identified PM10 and PM2.5 as the primary pollutants responsible for the city's deteriorating air quality.

Greater Noida and Noida reported relatively better air quality, but both remained in the "poor" category, with AQI readings of 248 and 293, respectively, on Saturday.

The Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) remain enforced since October 14.

CPCB data showed that Ghaziabad has consistently topped the list of the co...