Smog Engulfs Delhi, AQI Remains ‘Poor’ Flight Operations Hit
Foggy conditions grip north and western India; several Delhi hotspots record ‘very poor’ air quality
New Delhi, Dec 05 : Large parts of north and western India witnessed a foggy start on Monday, with cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati waking up to reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality.
In the national capital, a dense mix of fog and smog blanketed several areas during the early morning hours, pushing pollution levels into the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories. The smog layer also disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, leading to delays during the early hours, airport officials said.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 260 at 8 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. Air quality varied across the city, with several pollution hotspots recording significantly higher readings.
At Akshardham, the AQI was recorded at 294, while ITO registered 256, both falling under the ‘poor’ category. Anand Vihar saw a sharper deterioration, with the AQI touching 320, placing it in the ‘very poor’ bracket. Chandni Chowk remained among the most polluted areas, recording an AQI of 337, also categorised as ‘very poor’.
Dense fog and smog reduced visibility across Delhi, resulting in delays to multiple flights at IGI Airport during the early morning hours, officials said.
Hazy conditions in Mumbai, fog in Guwahati
Mumbai also reported hazy conditions on Monday morning. Visuals from Bandra Kurla Complex and Bandra Reclamation showed a layer of smog hovering over parts of the city. The AQI in these areas stood at 132, which falls under the ‘moderate’ category, as per CPCB data.
In the Northeast, Guwahati experienced a cold and foggy morning as a cold wave continued to grip the region. The city’s AQI was recorded at 72, categorised as ‘satisfactory’. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a minimum temperature of 14°C for the city.
Pollution control measures in place
In Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the NCR and adjoining areas revoked Stage-III restrictions last week.
Despite the relaxation, authorities have urged residents to strictly comply with measures under Stages I and II of the GRAP to prevent further deterioration in air quality. The government clarified that construction and demolition sites shut due to violations will not be allowed to resume operations without explicit approval from the Commission.
The GRAP Sub-Committee said it will continue to closely monitor air quality levels and review the situation periodically, taking further action based on forecasts from the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
