Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR Air Pollution and Dense Fog Create Severe Year-End Crisis
Delhi Air Pollution: The final days of the year brought serious environmental challenges to the national capital region, as air pollution levels remained dangerously high and dense fog disrupted daily life. According to official monitoring data, Delhi’s air quality stayed in the very poor category, with the Air Quality Index touching alarming levels across several locations. At the same time, weather conditions worsened the situation, leading to visibility issues and travel disruptions, especially for air passengers.
Current Air Quality Situation in Delhi
On the last day of the year, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 384 during the morning hours, placing it firmly in the very poor range. Several monitoring stations across the city crossed the severe threshold, indicating hazardous breathing conditions for residents. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Shadipur, Wazirpur, and Punjabi Bagh reported AQI levels well above 430, reflecting a serious public health concern.
In central and eastern parts of the city, locations like ITO, Chandni Chowk, Patparganj, and RK Puram also experienced severe pollution levels. These readings suggest prolonged exposure risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions.
Air Quality in Delhi-NCR Regions
The pollution crisis was not limited to Delhi alone. Several cities in the surrounding National Capital Region also recorded troubling AQI figures. Noida and Greater Noida reported AQI values close to 390, while Ghaziabad crossed 370, all falling under the very poor category. Gurugram recorded slightly lower but still concerning levels, while Faridabad and Muzaffarnagar remained in the poor range.
This widespread pollution highlights how air quality issues in the capital extend across city boundaries, affecting millions of people throughout the region.
Areas With Very Poor and Poor AQI Levels
Apart from the severely polluted zones, many other parts of Delhi reported very poor to poor air quality. Locations such as IGI Airport Terminal 3, IIT Delhi, Lodhi Road, Najafgarh, Mandir Marg, and Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded AQI levels between 320 and 390. Northern and western areas including Narela, Bawana, Mundka, and Alipur also experienced similar conditions.
Even educational institutions and sports complexes like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, and Delhi University North Campus were affected, showing that pollution impacted both residential and institutional zones.
Weather Conditions and Dense Fog Alert
Compounding the pollution problem, dense fog covered large parts of Delhi and NCR. Weather authorities issued a yellow alert warning residents about reduced visibility during early morning and late-night hours. Low visibility affected road traffic and significantly disrupted flight operations.
As a precaution, Delhi Airport released a passenger advisory informing travelers about possible flight delays and schedule changes. Passengers were advised to check flight status in advance and allow extra time for airport procedures.
Major Sources of Air Pollution
According to air quality management assessments, vehicular emissions emerged as the single largest contributor to pollution, accounting for over 15 percent of total particulate matter. Industrial activities in and around the city were the second biggest source, followed by residential emissions from cooking and heating.
Construction dust and waste burning, though contributing smaller percentages, continued to add to the pollution load. Officials pointed out that unfavorable meteorological conditions played a critical role. Low wind speeds and a poor ventilation index prevented pollutants from dispersing, allowing them to accumulate near ground level.
Health and Safety Concerns
Sustained exposure to very poor and severe air quality can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation, fatigue, and aggravated asthma symptoms. Medical experts recommend limiting outdoor activities, wearing protective masks, and using air purifiers indoors where possible. Vulnerable groups are advised to take extra precautions until conditions improve.
Looking Ahead
Environmental experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions, including cleaner transport systems, stricter industrial controls, and better urban planning. While temporary measures can provide short-term relief, sustained action is essential to prevent recurring winter pollution episodes in Delhi-NCR.