Delhi-NCR faced another very difficult day as thick smog and fog covered the region, making the air unsafe to breathe. Many areas, including Anand Vihar, AIIMS, Ghazipur and India Gate, were wrapped in heavy pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 410 in Anand Vihar and Ghazipur, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. AIIMS and India Gate recorded AQI levels close to 400, marked as ‘very poor’.
#WATCH | Delhi | Air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category as the national capital remains engulfed in a layer of smog
Drone visuals from the Mayur Vihar-I area pic.twitter.com/jS84Yr5bY6
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2025
Smog reduces visibility across Delhi
On Wednesday morning, a thick layer of smog hung over roads, buildings and traffic routes. Visibility was very low in areas like Anand Vihar and ITO.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the ITO area as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city.
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 360, categorised as ‘very poor’, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
CAQM (Commission for Air Quality… pic.twitter.com/IQncuROwdS
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2025
Even well-known places such as the Akshardham Temple were barely visible through the haze. The polluted air raised serious health worries for residents.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals around India Gate this morning as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city; GRAP 4 invoked in the national capital.
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 380, categorised as ‘Very Poor’, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board pic.twitter.com/03BdPGWeXJ
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Emergency pollution rules enforced
Due to the dangerous air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. This is the strictest level of pollution control and is used when air quality becomes extremely bad.
An anti-smog gun is being used to spray water to curb air pollution in the Kartavya Path area as air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category
#WATCH | Delhi: An anti-smog gun is being used to spray water to curb air pollution in the Kartavya Path area as air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category pic.twitter.com/YKs3UVXLkJ
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2025
AQI still ‘very poor’ in many areas
Although pollution levels slightly improved because of stronger winds, the air remained unsafe. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 341, while ITO touched 360, both in the ‘very poor’ category. Children, elderly people and those with breathing problems are at higher risk.
Construction and vehicles face restrictions
Under Stage-IV rules, all construction and demolition work has been stopped. Stone crushers, mining units and similar industries have also been shut down. Authorities have tightened checks on polluting vehicles to reduce harmful emissions.
Flights and traffic affected by fog
Travel was also disrupted. IndiGo issued an advisory warning passengers about low visibility and slow flight movement. The airline said fog across North and East India could cause delays. People were advised to leave early and check flight updates in advance.
Delhi government announces new steps
The Delhi government announced stricter rules to fight pollution. Vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be allowed to buy petrol or diesel. Only BS-VI vehicles will be allowed to run in the city, while older vehicles will face limits. On Tuesday, Delhi’s AQI stood at 377, better than the previous day but still very dangerous.
What AQI numbers mean
An AQI between 301 and 400 is called ‘very poor’, and anything above 400 is ‘severe’. When AQI crosses 450, emergency steps are taken to protect public health. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as Delhi-NCR struggles with extremely polluted air.
