Delhi woke up to a blanket of smog on Saturday as air quality across the national capital region deteriorated sharply, pushing the Air Quality Index back into the ‘very poor’ category and disrupting daily life. After a brief improvement earlier in the week, pollution levels began rising again on December 26, with the city recording an AQI of 333, according to official data.
By 11:05 am on December 27, the average AQI stood at 359, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ range. Several monitoring stations reported even worse conditions, with some slipping into the ‘severe’ category. The primary pollutants driving the decline were fine particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, which pose serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.
The dense smog significantly reduced visibility across the city, affecting road traffic and aviation operations. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reported widespread flight disruptions, with 51 percent of departures delayed by mid-morning. Average departure delays stood at around 17 minutes, according to data from Flightradar24, as pilots and air traffic controllers struggled with poor visibility.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that seven out of 40 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi recorded ‘severe’ AQI levels. Vivek Vihar reported the worst air quality with an AQI of 423, followed closely by Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri at 419 each. Nehru Nagar, Shadipur, Wazirpur and Rohini also recorded AQI readings above 400, indicating hazardous conditions.
In addition, 24 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality as fog trapped pollutants close to the ground. Experts said the smog-like conditions were caused by a combination of cold temperatures, calm winds and dense fog, which prevented the dispersion of pollutants.
To curb further deterioration, authorities have enforced Stage III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. These restrictions include limits on construction activity, stricter controls on vehicle emissions and enhanced monitoring of industrial pollution sources. Despite these measures, unfavourable weather conditions continue to worsen air quality levels.
Earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management had relaxed the strictest pollution controls after air quality briefly improved to the ‘poor’ category. GRAP Stage IV curbs were lifted on December 24 following high wind speeds and favourable meteorological conditions that helped disperse pollutants. However, officials had cautioned that the relief could be temporary.
The commission cited forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, warning that slower wind speeds and changing weather patterns could lead to a fresh rise in pollution levels over the coming days.
In response to the worsening situation, the New Delhi Municipal Council has installed anti-smog guns on 13 high-rise buildings to suppress dust and particulate matter. Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities, use public transport where possible and follow health advisories until air quality improves.
With winter conditions expected to persist, officials warned that Delhi could continue to face fluctuating air quality levels, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with seasonal pollution and the need for sustained long-term solutions.