New Delhi: A brief spell of cleaner air in the national capital has come to an end, with pollution levels once again sliding into the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday. Dense fog and biting cold conditions added to the discomfort, prompting airlines to caution passengers about possible delays and disruptions.
According to official data, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 302, signalling unhealthy conditions for residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. Monitoring stations across the city reported mixed readings, ranging from moderate to very poor, reflecting uneven but widespread pollution.
Several densely populated pockets recorded alarmingly high pollution levels. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk and Jahangirpuri emerged as major hotspots, with AQI readings well above the safe limit. Nehru Nagar and the Siri Fort region also figured among the most affected localities, underscoring the severity of the situation in central and east Delhi.
In contrast, a few locations showed relatively improved air quality during the morning hours. Parts of south Delhi and the airport zone, including Aya Nagar, Lodhi Road and the IGI Airport area, reported AQI levels in the poor to upper-moderate range. Similarly, Burari, IIT Delhi and Dwarka recorded comparatively lower pollution levels than the city average.
Some relief was noted in Bawana and Shadipur, where air quality remained within the moderate category, making them among the least polluted areas in the capital at the time.
Meanwhile, thick fog reduced visibility across Delhi and NCR, affecting road traffic and flight schedules. Several airlines issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Environmental experts attribute the decline in air quality to a combination of calm winds, low temperatures and the accumulation of pollutants, conditions typical of winter months. Authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activities and follow pollution-control guidelines as the capital braces for another stretch of unhealthy air.
