November 14, 2024: 

Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality as the capital woke up to a thick layer of smog, sending the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to severe levels. The AQI in the national capital was recorded at 432 at 6 am, showing only a slight improvement from the 452 registered at 11 pm the previous night. Despite the minor drop, the air quality remains dangerous for all residents, with widespread health implications.

The dense smog has caused significant disruptions to visibility, particularly affecting air travel. Visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) was reduced to just 500 meters at 6:30 am, down from 800 meters an hour earlier. As a result, flight operations have been impacted, with possible delays and schedule changes in place to manage the hazardous conditions.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported that several areas across Delhi are experiencing severe air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 450. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Najafgarh, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, RK Puram, Rohini, and Vivek Vihar have been particularly affected. Among these, Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 473, followed by Patparganj at 472 and Ashok Vihar at 471.

In response to the deteriorating conditions, IndiGo airline issued a travel advisory on its official social media account, advising passengers to monitor flight status due to the ongoing disruption caused by the winter fog and low visibility. The airline warned that flights to and from Delhi, as well as Amritsar and Varanasi, could experience delays. "Do keep a tab on your flight status before heading to the airport. Also, please allow additional travel time as road traffic may move slower than usual due to low visibility," IndiGo advised.

The Delhi Airport also issued a statement confirming that while low visibility procedures are in effect, flight operations are currently proceeding as normal. Passengers have been urged to check with their respective airlines for up-to-date flight information. Despite these efforts, departures from IGI Airport are facing average delays of 30 minutes due to the smog.

Experts have reiterated that long-term exposure to air quality in the "very poor" and "severe" categories poses serious health risks. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are at heightened risk, but even healthy individuals are not immune. The concentration of PM 2.5—fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs—is a major concern, especially when levels exceed safe limits, as seen today.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the local government for failing to address the ongoing air pollution crisis. Speaking from Kartavya Path, where the AQI stood at 474, Sachdeva lamented the visibility, or lack thereof, of iconic landmarks like India Gate. He attributed the worsening pollution to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s inefficiency and lack of environmental planning, focusing instead on event management.

"The stubble burning in Punjab and the high levels of PM 2.5 due to dust on damaged roads are major contributors to the city's pollution," Sachdeva said. He also called for immediate measures such as declaring school holidays and advising the public to avoid morning walks.

With air quality levels remaining in the severe category, experts continue to warn that residents should take precautions, such as wearing masks, avoiding outdoor activities, and limiting exposure to the toxic air. The ongoing pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle the sources of Delhi’s air quality woes, including crop residue burning, vehicle emissions, and urban dust.