The level of pollution in the capital Delhi has increased so much that people are now forced to stay in their homes to breathe. This situation has been made more difficult by the harsh cold and fog. Even on the morning of 28th December, people are facing the double blow of pollution and weather.

There was dense smog and fog in the morning, due to which visibility became extremely low and drivers had to travel with headlights on. On one hand, the plans of those celebrating the New Year away from pollution are also getting ruined because due to dense fog, flights as well as trains are running late by hours and getting cancelled.

Delhi’s air becomes deadly

According to the government app Sameer, the average air quality index of Delhi was recorded around 400 at 8.00 am on Sunday, which falls in the very poor category. This level of pollution clearly shows that the air is not fit to breathe. Due to persistently high AQI, the risk for the elderly, children and respiratory patients has increased.

The situation worsens in these areas

The situation in many areas of Delhi appeared more serious than average. AQI was recorded at 445 in Anand Vihar, while it reached 447 in Shadipur. Wazirpur 437, Narela 435, Jahangirpuri 433, Nehru Nagar 431, Rohini and Ashok Vihar 429, Vivek Vihar 428, Bawan and Okhla Phase 2 423, Patparganj 423, Punjabi Bagh 420, Chandni Chowk 418, DTU and RK Puram 414, Mundka 409, Dwarka Sector 8 and ITO 401 were registered. These figures show that almost the entire Delhi is in the grip of poisonous air.

#WATCH Poor visibility witnessed at the runway at IGI airport. Delhi airport issued a passenger advisory at 8 am stating, “All flight operations are continuing normally as visibility at the airport improves. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for the… pic.twitter.com/l6PhP7Fjvm

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025

Yellow fog alert issued

The Meteorological Department had already issued a yellow fog alert for December 28, which proved to be correct on Sunday morning. The minimum temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees Celsius, due to which the intensity of fog further increased along with cold. The lack of cold winds and stable weather conditions kept pollutants trapped in the air, causing the layer of smog and fog to become denser. In such a situation, experts are advising to be careful and avoid unnecessary going out.

GRAP-4 restrictions have been removed in Delhi before the New Year. This decision has been taken after improvement in pollution levels. Group 3 restrictions will remain in force. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took this decision under the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) issued on 21 November 2025 in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. Currently, as per the orders of 14 October, 19 October and 13 December 2025, Stage-1, 2, 3 and 4 were in force.

The rule of ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ will continue

Delhi government had already made it clear that even after the removal of Group 4, the rule of ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ will continue.

AQI improved due to strong winds

The sub-committee constituted on GRAP reviewed the air quality of the region and the forecasts of IMD/IITM in its meeting held today (24 December). The committee found that due to strong winds and favorable weather, the air quality of Delhi has improved significantly. On December 24, 2025, AQI was recorded at 271, which falls in the ‘Poor’ category. However, there is a possibility of AQI increasing in the coming days due to reduction in wind speed.

Keeping these circumstances in mind, the sub-committee decided to cancel the order dated 13 December 2025, under which Stage-IV (Severe+; AQI > 450) was implemented.

However, the Commission clarified that all measures under Stage-1, 2 and 3 will remain strictly implemented and monitored across the NCR as per the revised GRAP dated November 21, 2025, so that the air quality does not fall back into the ‘Severe+’ category. All concerned agencies have been instructed to further intensify the measures under Stage-2 and 3.

Appeal to people to follow Grape-3

Also, in view of the winter weather, an appeal has been made to the citizens to strictly follow the Citizen’s Charter issued under GRAP Stage-1, 2 and 3.