Fog, smog snarl travel in Delhi as over 150 flights delayed, AQI stays very poor

Dense fog and toxic smog disrupted air and rail traffic in India’s capital on Monday, delaying more than 150 flights and dozens of trains as Delhi continued to grapple with “very poor” air quality despite a marginal improvement, officials and data showed.

Low visibility conditions at Indira Gandhi International Airport led to widespread delays during the early morning hours, with airlines advising passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Rail services were also affected, with at least 29 trains running late due to reduced visibility across the national capital and adjoining regions.

The disruption came as Delhi remained blanketed by a thick layer of haze, a combination of fog and pollution that typically intensifies during winter.

Data from the government-run Sameer app showed the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 365 at 5:05 a.m., placing it firmly in the “very poor” category. Four monitoring stations recorded “severe” air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 400, while Aya Nagar was the only area reporting relatively better conditions in the “poor” category.

Also Read: Delhi airport incident: AI Express issues show cause notice to pilot, to set up external inquiry panel

In response to the persistent pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said it has invoked all measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. The curbs include restrictions on construction activities, tighter controls on vehicular emissions and limits on the operation of polluting industries.

Weather agencies have warned that foggy and hazy conditions are likely to continue for at least two more days across north India due to an active western disturbance, keeping visibility low during late night and early morning hours.

The prolonged spell of hazardous air has also begun to influence travel behaviour, with some residents choosing to leave the capital for hill states such as Himachal Pradesh, where air quality remains significantly better ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Authorities have urged commuters to take precautions, limit outdoor exposure and follow official advisories as winter pollution peaks in the capital.