Delhi Faces Worst Air Quality of the Season, Visibility Drops to 150 Metres

New Delhi: Delhi woke up to the worst air quality of the season today, as a thick layer of smog—caused by a toxic mix of smoke and fog—blanketed the city, sending the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the "severe-plus" category with a reading of 481 at 7 am. Visibility plummeted to just 150 metres at Palam, severely affecting flight operations and train services.

The poor air quality has led to the activation of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent pollution control measures. Under these measures, trucks carrying non-essential goods are banned, and construction activities have been halted. Schools have suspended in-person classes for all but senior students, while public and private offices are advised to operate with 50% staff in-office.

Authorities have urged vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions—to stay indoors. Stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana continues to contribute significantly to the pollution, which worsens during the winter months due to stagnant weather conditions trapping pollutants in the air.

As the city grapples with hazardous air quality, officials have called for more urgent action to address the growing environmental crisis.