: The air quality in the heart of the state capital deteriorated sharply on Sunday, with the Lalbagh monitoring station, which covers key pockets such as Hazratganj, Vidhan Sabha Marg, Mall Avenue, Qaiserbagh, Aminabad, and adjoining residential belts, recording a “very poor” air quality index (AQI) of 333, the highest in the city this season. (File) The central zone, which houses major government offices, administrative headquarters, commercial complexes, courts, markets and several leading schools, emerged as the most polluted part of Lucknow. Morning walkers, who frequent parks and stretches around Lalbagh and Hazratganj, also reported breathing discomfort as particulate levels spiked. The surge pushed the city’s overall AQI back into the “poor” category at 227, just a day after Lucknow briefly improved to the “moderate” range. Sunday’s dip marks the fourth time this season that Lucknow has slipped into the “poor” air bracket. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from the six live stations, Kendriya Vidyalaya (Aliganj) recorded an AQI of 285, Talkatora 230, Gomti Nagar 202, BR Ambedkar 154 and Kukrail 155, …