Delhi Pollution: Dense Fog, Hazardous Air Quality Blanket Capital; Airport Issues Advisory

A thick blanket of toxic smog and dense fog descended over the national capital on Thursday morning, severely reducing visibility and leaving residents grappling with discomfort. Several parts of Delhi reported alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, prompting authorities to enforce emergency pollution-control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV.

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), RK Puram recorded an AQI of 374, placing it firmly in the "very poor" category. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was similarly engulfed, with AQI levels at 349. Najafgarh reported relatively lower pollution levels at 284, but the area too remained shrouded in toxic haze. Anand Vihar emerged as one of the worst-hit pockets, with AQI soaring to 415, categorised as "severe." Other areas such as Dhaula Kuan (266, "poor") and Kashmere Gate ISBT (384, "very poor") also reported hazardous conditions.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) confirmed that all Stage-IV restrictions under GRAP had been invoked across Delhi-NCR. These measures include curbs on construction activities, restrictions on vehicular movement, and intensified dust-control operations. Officials stressed that the situation demanded urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Meanwhile, Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh also reported dense fog conditions, adding to the widespread disruption across northern India. Meteorological experts noted that the combination of stagnant weather patterns and high emissions had worsened visibility and trapped pollutants close to the ground.

Road Dust and Waste Burning Add to Crisis

In its latest inspection drive conducted on December 12, CAQM deployed 19 teams to monitor road conditions across Delhi. The survey covered 136 stretches under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Findings revealed significant lapses in maintenance: 15 stretches showed high dust accumulation, 38 moderate, and 61 low dust intensity, while 22 stretches had no visible dust. Alarmingly, 55 stretches were found with municipal solid waste (MSW) and 53 with construction and demolition (C&D) debris. Six stretches even showed evidence of biomass or waste burning.

The Commission highlighted that such negligence directly contributes to rising particulate matter levels in the city. It urged DDA to step up mechanical sweeping, ensure timely disposal of collected dust, maintain road shoulders and central verges, and deploy water-sprinkling systems. Authorities also emphasised the need for strict enforcement against open burning, which continues to aggravate pollution levels.

Fog Disrupts Travel, Airport Issues Advisory

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) issued a passenger advisory at 4:30 am, warning travellers of low visibility due to dense fog. Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) were put into effect to ensure safe aircraft operations. Airport officials clarified that while visibility had dropped significantly, flight operations remained normal at the time of the advisory.

Passengers were urged to stay in touch with their airlines for real-time updates on departures and arrivals. "Low-visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information," the advisory posted on X read.

AQI Categories

For reference, AQI levels between 0-50 are considered "good," 51-100 "satisfactory," 101-200 "moderate," 201-300 "poor," 301-400 "very poor," and 401-500 "severe." With several areas in Delhi crossing into the "very poor" and "severe" brackets, experts warn of serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.