The Supreme Court on Friday approved a common Pollution code for Delhi-NCR to categorise the severity of the pollutants present in the air.

Accepting recommendations made by the Delhi and Union Government, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to notify the levels of four categories of pollution.

The levels of pollution will be classified into four categories — moderate to poor, very poor, severe, very Severe or emergency.

Delhi and its adjoining areas saw pollution levels rise to alarming levels, with thick smog enveloping the city. This alarming level of pollution in the capital led to the Delhi government announcing a slew of temporary measures to bring pollution levels down to normal.

Shutting down of the Badarpur power plant, halting construction activity, vacuuming cleaning and sprinkling of water on roads, and banning the practice of burning dry leaves or waste were among the measures announced. Not just these, the apex court has also banned the sale of fireworks in the capital in order to curb rising pollution level in Delhi-NCR.