Dense, toxic smog continued to choke India's national capital on Wednesday, severely reducing visibility and maintaining air quality in the 'very poor' to 'severe' categories. Despite intensified efforts by authorities to control the pollution crisis, the situation remained critical for millions of residents.
Hazardous Air and Stringent New Measures
Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered around 350, showing only a marginal improvement from the previous day. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board revealed a grim picture, with 11 out of 40 monitoring stations, including areas like Jahangirpuri, Mundka, and Wazirpur, recording 'severe' pollution levels. In response, the Delhi government announced a significant crackdown on polluting vehicles.
The administration declared that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate would be barred from purchasing petrol or diesel in the city. More drastically, it stated that only BS-VI-compliant vehicles would be permitted to operate in Delhi, with older vehicles facing restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This move is set to have wide-reaching consequences across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Travel Chaos and Commuter Anxiety
The combination of poor air quality and dense fog severely disrupted air and road traffic. Indira Gandhi International Airport issued fog advisories, noting that while operations were recovering, low visibility could still affect schedules. Budget carrier IndiGo warned passengers of potential delays and adjustments to flights across North and East India, advising them to check their flight status and allow extra time for travel.
On the ground, the government's decision to ban non-BS VI vehicles from entering Delhi from Thursday sparked major concern. Official estimates suggest a massive number of vehicles in neighboring cities could be impacted:
- Over 2 lakh vehicles in Gurgaon
- More than 4 lakh vehicles in Noida
- Around 5.5 lakh vehicles in Ghaziabad
Traffic police teams have been deployed at Delhi-NCR borders, with fines and vehicle seizures promised for violators. Residents criticized the move as abrupt, arguing it would disrupt daily work, strain public transport, and overload the metro system, as Delhi and its satellite cities function as a single economic unit. Officials defended the step as a necessary action under GRAP norms to reduce emissions during severe pollution episodes.
Limited Relief and Ongoing Warnings
Meteorological conditions provided a slight respite on Tuesday, with higher wind speeds helping to disperse pollutants and pull the AQI out of the 'severe' zone. The India Meteorological Department reported shallow fog across the city, though morning visibility remained poor. While experts predict stronger winds in the coming days might improve conditions slightly, the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts that the AQI is likely to stay in the 'very poor' category until the end of the week.
With fog, severe pollution, and travel disruptions expected to persist, authorities have urged Delhi-NCR residents to limit outdoor activities, use public transport where possible, and stay updated with official advisories as the city grapples with this annual environmental emergency.
