New Delhi:

Dense fog enveloped parts of the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning, reducing visibility to zero and delaying more than 150 flights and about 26 trains.

Flight delays averaged 41 minutes, aviation website FlightRadar24 said.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), in an update this morning, said the flight departures have been “impacted” due to dense fog.

#WATCH | Visibility reduced to zero as a blanket of dense fog witnessed in parts of Delhi-NCR

(Visuals from Rajokri area) pic.twitter.com/Pw89P7oavt

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2025

The DIAL, however, reassured travellers that CAT III-compliant flights can land and depart from the airport. 

Update issued at 05:52 hours.
Kind attention to all flyers!#DelhiAirport #FogUpdate pic.twitter.com/XULkxIr9nh

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 10, 2025

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a moderate to very dense fog warning for many parts of North India, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Hundreds of flights and trains have been cancelled or delayed due to thick fog in the past few weeks in North India.

The capital’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 408 around 6 am, dropping to the ‘severe’ category from ‘very poor’, according to the data on the Central Pollution Control Board website.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

According to the IMD, Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius.

The weather agency said the capital’s maximum and minimum temperatures would hover between 6 and 20 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Grap Stage 3 In Delhi-NCR

The Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR’s air quality on Thursday re-implemented stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a sharp rise in air pollution levels owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions.

Delhi’s air pollution levels showed an increasing trend with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) clocking 357 at 4 pm on Thursday, up from 297 on Wednesday.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, responsible for strategising air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR, directed authorities in the region to immediately implement curbs prescribed under stage 3 to prevent further worsening of the situation.

GRAP Stage 3, revoked on Sunday, entails a ban on non-essential construction work.

Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.

Under Stage 3, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) are restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt.

Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in the national capital.

During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorises air quality into four stages – Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).

New Delhi:

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday questioned whether Delhi should remain the Indian capital as the city’s worsening toxic smog surged past 60 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum.

A thick layer of smog – a toxic blend of smoke and fog – has been enveloping the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) for the past few days with the air quality index (AQI) plummeting to the “severe-plus” category, forcing authorities to switch schools to online classes and invoke strict pollution control measures.

“Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it,” Mr Tharoor posted on X.

The Congress MP said he has run an Air Quality Round Table for experts and stakeholders, including MPs, since 2015 but “gave up” last year because “nothing seemed to change and no one seemed to care”.

“This city is essentially uninhabitable from November to January inclusive and barely livable the rest of the year. Should it even remain the nation’s capital?” Mr Tharoor added.

Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x Hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it. I have run an Air… pic.twitter.com/sLZhfeo722

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 18, 2024

Delhi and the surrounding areas, which are home to about 7 crore people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution in winter as cold air traps dust, emissions and smoke from illegal stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana to clear their fields for ploughing.

Pollution Chokes Delhi, AQI Nears 500-Mark

A thick blanket of smog continued to grip Delhi and its adjoining areas this morning as the AQI nearly touched the 500-mark.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, the national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 494 at 6 am, the worst so far this season, which officials said was due to “unfavourable” meteorological conditions.

#WATCH | Delhi: Kartavya Path and surrounding areas covered in a layer of smog as air quality in the city remains in ‘Severe’ category, as per Central Pollution Control Board. pic.twitter.com/80mK0nCkBq

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

The Centre’s air quality panel on Monday invoked stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under Stage 4 of the anti-pollution plan Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This is in addition to the preventive actions announced under Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 of GRAP already in force.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality: Stage 1 for “poor” air quality (AQI ranging from 201 to 300), Stage 2 for “very poor” air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 for “severe” air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 for “severe-plus” air quality (AQI above 450).

The panel – Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) – also urged the public, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases, to stay indoors.

New Delhi:

A thick layer of smog – a toxic blend of smoke and fog – enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) plummeted to the “severe-plus” category, forcing authorities to announce stricter pollution control measures.

Smog also affected visibility in the national capital which various airlines said could delay flight schedules. Visibility at Palam dropped to 150 metres at 7 am.

#6ETravelAdvisory: Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl. Safe travels!

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 17, 2024

Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog#FogAlert#DelhiAirportpic.twitter.com/QRx6v26Ral

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 18, 2024

According to the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 481 at 6 am, the worst so far this season. Officials said it was due to “unfavourable” meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

The Centre’s air quality panel has invoked stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under Stage 4 of the anti-pollution plan Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 am today. This is in addition to the preventive actions announced under Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 of GRAP already in force.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality: Stage 1 for “poor” air quality (AQI ranging from 201 to 300), Stage 2 for “very poor” air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 for “severe” air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 for “severe-plus” air quality (AQI above 450).

The panel – Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) – has urged the public, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases, to stay indoors.

GRAP 4 In Delhi As Air Quality Worsens

Under Grap 4, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones and those carrying essential items.

Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services.

In-person classes have been suspended for all except for students in classes 10 and 12.

All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines and other public projects, have been suspended.

Public and private offices in Delhi-NCR have been recommended to work at 50 per cent capacity, with the rest working from home. Work-from-home options may also be introduced for central government employees.

State governments could also close colleges, limit non-essential commercial activities and implement odd-even vehicle rules.

Around 38% of the pollution in the national capital this year has been caused by stubble burning or farm fires in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi grapples with smog each winter as cold air traps dust, emissions and smoke from illegal farm fires.

New Delhi:

The air quality in Delhi worsened this morning as people defied a ban on firecrackers during Diwali celebrations on Thursday.

The relentless bursting of firecrackers caused severe noise pollution and blanketed the national capital in dense smoke with residents flouting the restrictions till late at night.

#WATCH | Delhi skyline on #Diwali shows the city illuminated in colourful lights. pic.twitter.com/BRvtW3wsRz

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024

According to the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) soared to 359 at 6:30 am, which falls under the “very poor” category. The AQI on the morning of Diwali was at 328.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

The AQI level in most of the 40 monitoring stations in the city remained in the “very poor” category with Anand Vihar and RK Puram reporting the worst air quality index of 395.

#WATCH | Delhi: A thin layer of smog engulfs the National Capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate.

As per the CPCB, the AQI of the area is 317, in the ‘very poor’ category.

(Visuals from India Gate) pic.twitter.com/nKvFMOPZrd

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024

Burari Crossing (394), Sonia Vihar (392), Punjabi Bagh (391), North Campus (390), Bawana (388), Jahangirpuri (387), Rohini (385), Ashok Vihar (384), and Nehru Nagar (381) were some other places with the “very poor” air quality

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has said that the air quality in the national capital is likely to be in the “very poor” category (AQI 300 to 400) on Friday.

ALSO READ | Delhi Air Pollution, Ahead Of Winter, Raises Respiratory Illness By 15%

On Diwali eve, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that 377 teams were formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the capital. A senior Delhi Police officer had said all deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) were asked to form dedicated teams to ensure that firecrackers are not burst in their respective districts.

Last year, the “festival of lights” was celebrated on November 12 and Delhi recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, with the average AQI at 218.

Stubble burning or farm fires in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, especially during the post-harvest season of October and November, are also often blamed for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi.

ALSO READ | Smog Engulfs Delhi-NCR, Toxic Foam Blankets Yamuna River As Winter Approaches

The capital has been breathing hazardous air quality for the past few weeks, prompting authorities to impose stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan last week.

New Delhi:

Delhi and neighbouring areas woke up to a thick layer of smog this morning, and the air quality index (AQI) remained in the “very poor” category despite various anti-pollution measures. According to the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI on the morning of Diwali was recorded at 328, which falls under the “very poor” category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

In Anand Vihar, which is one of the 40 monitoring stations in the national capital, the AQI level was recorded at 419 and remained in the “severe” category.

#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of smog engulfs the Anand Vihar area of the National Capital.

The Air Quality Index of Anand Vihar is 418 in the ‘Severe’ category as per the CPCB. pic.twitter.com/zcGVBOarZx

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024

The air quality remained “very poor” in other areas like Alipur, \Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, IGI Airport (T3), Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, RK Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, and Wazirpur.

ALSO READ | Delhi Air Pollution, Ahead Of Winter, Raises Respiratory Illness By 15%

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune said the air quality is likely to be in the “very poor” category on Thursday and Friday, but may also reach the severe category in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble or waste fires.

Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather Services told the news agency PTI that on Diwali, pollution levels are likely to rise as winds have shifted from south-southeast to northwesterly, which may carry smoke from stubble burning into the city.

“If firecrackers are also burst, the altered wind direction could further trap pollutants, worsening the air quality,” he said.

Last year, the “festival of lights” was celebrated on November 12 and Delhi recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years, with the average AQI at 218.

Stubble burning or farm fires in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, especially during the post-harvest season of October and November, are also often blamed for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi.

Strict Measures In Delhi On Diwali

As many as 377 teams have been formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the national capital on Diwali, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has said.

A senior Delhi Police officer has said all deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) have been asked to form dedicated teams to ensure that firecrackers are not burst in their respective districts.

The capital has been breathing hazardous air quality for the past few weeks, prompting authorities to impose stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan last week.

Under stage two, there will be restrictions on the use of coal and firewood as well as diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

ALSO READ | Smog Engulfs Delhi-NCR, Toxic Foam Blankets Yamuna River As Winter Approaches

Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads will also be carried out on a daily basis, and dust control measures will be enforced at construction and demolition sites.

Further, traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport and additional bus and metro services will be started.

People have been advised to use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles. They also have been asked to regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles, and avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January.

People in Delhi-NCR also have been told to avoid the open burning of solid waste and bio-mass.

Delhi:

Delhi’s air quality improved slightly on Saturday morning nearly four days after the national capital reeled under toxic air pollution, however, it still remains in the ‘poor’ category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi dropped to 230 this morning – from Friday’s reading of 270. 

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), the air quality in Delhi has improved due to a sudden change in wind direction and speed. Despite the improvement, weather experts have cautioned that the relief may be short-lived, as pollution levels are expected to rise again in the next three days, reported news agency PTI.

The air quality index is likely to touch 400 by October 31, the weather system said. 

Fearing further air quality deterioration after Diwali, the Delhi government has imposed stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan. Under this stage, there are restrictions on the use of coal, firewood, and diesel generator sets across Delhi-NCR. The administration will carry out mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on roads daily, while people have been advised to use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles.

On Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai conducted a demonstration showcasing drone-based services to identify sources of pollution in hotspot areas. He also discussed the recently released 21-point Winter Action Plan designed to tackle various pollution sources, including dust, vehicle emissions, and open burning, reported PTI.

“The Delhi government is working tirelessly day and night to combat pollution,” he said.

According to Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi, the civic body has formed 372 surveillance teams to monitor pollution. A total of 57,000 sanitation workers have been deployed for manual sweeping on the roads, while 195 water sprinklers and jetting machines have been stationed across the national capital. Thirty anti-smog guns have also been installed at polluted locations identified by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the Mayor said.

Some of the neighbouring states are witnessing a poor air quality index – Uttar Pradesh at 254 AQI, Haryana at 267 AQI, and Rajasthan at 243 AQI. 

New Delhi:

A thick layer of smog enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) continued to be “very poor” despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP.

As per the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi at 8 am was recorded at 354, which falls under the “very poor” category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

The air quality remained “very poor” in areas like Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, IGI Airport (T3), Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, RK Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, and Wazirpur.

#WATCH | Delhi: A thin layer of smog engulfs the National Capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate.

(Visuals from India Gate) pic.twitter.com/ZbOBRB0tuK

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

GRAP Stage 2 In Delhi-NCR

The national capital has been breathing hazardous air quality for the past few days, forcing the authorities to impose stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan on Tuesday.

Under stage two, there will be restrictions on the use of coal and firewood as well as diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

ALSO READ | Delhi Air Pollution, Ahead Of Winter, Raises Respiratory Illness By 15%

Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads will also be carried out on a daily basis, and dust control measures will be enforced at construction and demolition sites.

Further, traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport and additional bus and metro services will be started.

People have been advised to use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles. They also have been asked to regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles, and avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January.

People in Delhi-NCR also have been told to avoid the open burning of solid waste and bio-mass.

These steps are in addition to the GRAP Stage 1 measures, that have been in effect since October 15.

During Stage 1, there is periodic mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling on roads, besides dust mitigation at construction sites. There is also a ban on the open burning of waste, the use of coal or firewood in eateries and there is a limited use of diesel generators.

Earlier Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a series of anti-pollution measures, including extra metro trips, deployment of more than 6,000 MCD staff for road dust control and 1,800 more traffic personnel at congestion points.

According to a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the daily average AQI of Delhi is expected to stay in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions.

Stubble burning or farm fires in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, especially during the post-harvest season of October and November, are also often blamed for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi.

New Delhi:

With the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi worsening in the past few days, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP this morning.

As per the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi at 8 am was recorded at 317, which falls under the “very poor” category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

According to a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the daily average AQI of Delhi is expected to stay in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions.

Under stage two of the GRAP or the Graded Response Action Plan, there will be restrictions on the use of coal and firewood as well as diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

ALSO READ | Delhi Air Pollution, Ahead Of Winter, Raises Respiratory Illness By 15%

Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads will also be carried out on a daily basis, and dust control measures will be enforced at construction and demolition sites.

Further, traffic personnel will be deployed at congestion points, vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport and additional bus and metro services will be started.

People have been advised to use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles.

They also have asked to regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles, and avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January. People in Delhi-NCR also have been told to avoid the open burning of solid waste and bio-mass.

These measures are in addition to the GRAP Stage 1 measures that have been in effect since October 15.

Earlier on Monday, the Delhi government also launched its “Red Light On-Gaadi Off” campaign to fight air pollution.

Kicking off the campaign at the ITO intersection, Delhi Environment Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai appealed to drivers to help reduce pollution by turning off their vehicle engines at red lights.

आज ITO रेड लाइट से ‘Red light On, Gaadi Off ‘ अभियान की शुरुआत।

इस दौरान गाड़ी चालकों से ‘Red light On’ होने पर ‘Gaadi Off’ करके प्रदूषण कम करने में अपना योगदान देने की अपील की। pic.twitter.com/dKcUfBP58s

— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) October 21, 2024

Mr Rai also said that the Delhi government has set up a green war room to combat pollution, launched an anti-dust campaign to control dust pollution, and is spraying bio-decomposer over 5,000 acres to decompose stubble.