Large parts of north and western India witnessed a foggy start on Monday. Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati woke up to reduced visibility and deteriorating air quality. In the national capital, a thick layer of fog mixed with smog covered several areas during the early morning hours. Pollution levels slipped into the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories. Overall, the smog blanket impacted flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
As per data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 260 by 8 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. Pollution levels varied across the city, with several hotspots recording significantly higher readings.
At Akshardham, the AQI was recorded at 294, categorised as ‘poor’, while ITO registered an AQI of 256. Anand Vihar witnessed a sharper decline in air quality, with the AQI touching 320, pushing the area into the ‘very poor’ bracket.
Chandni Chowk remained among the most polluted areas in the capital, recording an AQI of 337, also under the ‘very poor’ category.
The dense fog and smog led to reduced visibility across Delhi, resulting in delays to multiple flights at IGI Airport during the early hours, airport officials said.
Cold weather conditions in other cities
Mumbai, too, reported hazy conditions on Monday morning. Visuals from the Bandra Kurla Complex and Bandra Reclamation showed a visible layer of smog hovering over parts of the city. The AQI in these areas stood at 132, which falls under the ‘moderate’ category, according to CPCB data.
In the Northeast, Assam’s capital 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 degrees Celsius for Guwahati.
Pollution control measures to improve air quality
In Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas revoked Stage-III restrictions last week.
Despite the relaxation, authorities have urged residents to strictly adhere to measures prescribed under Stages I and II of the GRAP to prevent a further decline in air quality. The government clarified that construction and demolition sites shut due to violations or non-compliance with statutory norms will not be allowed to resume work 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 issued by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).